Trump says Xi calls Lai case ‘tough’, no optimism
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- Donald Trump raised Jimmy Lai’s case with Xi Jinping and was told it "is a tough one."
- Donald Trump said he was not optimistic about Lai’s release, describing Xi’s response as "not positive."
- Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February under Beijing’s security law and is held in solitary confinement without air conditioning.
- Jimmy Lai’s health has deteriorated, with weight loss, nail discoloration, and dental decay, according to his daughter.
- Claire Lai thanked Trump for his commitment and said she is confident his administration will free her father.
- Fox News aired an interview where Trump reiterated that his request to Xi about Lai was met with a negative response.
Why it matters: Trump’s blunt assessment that Xi deems Lai’s case “tough” and his own lack of optimism signal that U.S. diplomatic pressure has little sway over Beijing’s security‑law prosecutions, leaving Lai’s family and pro‑democracy supporters with dwindling hope of his release while his deteriorating health worsens the humanitarian stakes.
