President Donald Trump has made a big request (Trump Urges). He has asked the leader of China, Xi Jinping, to free a man named Jimmy Lai. Jimmy Lai is a famous media owner in Hong Kong. However, he has been in jail for a long time. On Monday, December 15, 2025, a court in Hong Kong said he was guilty of serious crimes.
President Trump feels very bad about this. Therefore, he spoke to President Xi directly. He wants to help Jimmy Lai because Lai is an old man. Also, Lai is not feeling well. This news is very important for the whole world. It shows how the United States and China are talking to each other.
In this article, we will explain everything. We will look at who Jimmy Lai is. Then, we will talk about why he is in jail. Finally, we will see what might happen next.
A Direct Request from the President
On Monday, President Trump spoke to reporters at the White House. He shared some news about his talks with China. He said that he asked President Xi to let Jimmy Lai go free.
“I feel so badly,” President Trump said. “I spoke to President Xi about it, and I asked to consider his release.”
This was a very personal message. Trump explained his reasons clearly. First, he noted that Jimmy Lai is 78 years old. That is quite old to be in prison. Second, Trump mentioned Lai’s health. He said, “He’s an older man, and he’s not well.”
Because of these reasons, Trump made the request. He did not demand it angrily. Instead, he asked politely. He said, “So I did put that request out. We’ll see what happens.” This shows that Trump is trying to use his friendship with Xi to solve a hard problem.
Who is Jimmy Lai?
You might be asking, “Who is Jimmy Lai?” He is a very famous man in Hong Kong. He was born in mainland China many years ago. However, he moved to Hong Kong when he was young.
At first, he worked in a factory. He worked very hard. Eventually, he became very rich. He started a clothing company called Giordano. It was very successful. But later, he decided to do something different. He wanted to start a newspaper.
He founded a newspaper called Apple Daily. This was not a normal newspaper. It was very colorful. Also, it was very brave. Apple Daily often criticized the Chinese government. It supported democracy. Democracy means that people should choose their own leaders.
For many years, Jimmy Lai was a hero to many people. He used his money to support freedom. Consequently, the government in Beijing did not like him. They thought he was a troublemaker.
The Charges Against Him
Things got very bad for Jimmy Lai a few years ago. In 2019, there were huge protests in Hong Kong. Millions of people marched in the streets. They wanted more freedom. Jimmy Lai supported these protests.
Because of the protests, China made a new law. It is called the National Security Law. This law is very strict. It makes it easy to arrest people who disagree with the government.
Jimmy Lai was arrested in 2020. He has been in jail since then. On Monday, December 15, 2025, his trial finally ended. The court found him guilty.
They said he did three bad things.
- First, they said he conspired to collude with foreign forces. This means they think he asked other countries, like the US, to hurt China.
- Second, they said he published “seditious” material. This means his newspaper printed stories that made people hate the government.
- Third, they said he was a “mastermind” behind the protests.
Jimmy Lai said he was not guilty. He said he was just using his right to free speech. However, the judges did not agree. Now, he faces life in prison.
Trump’s History with Jimmy Lai
President Trump has known about Jimmy Lai for a long time. In fact, Trump has praised him before. When Trump was President the first time, he spoke kindly about Lai.
Also, Jimmy Lai once said good things about Trump. During his trial, Lai said he hoped Trump would help Hong Kong. He hoped Trump could stop the new strict laws.
Because of this connection, Trump wants to help. He promised to try to get Lai out of jail. Before the election in 2024, Trump said, “100 percent I’ll get him out.” Now that he is President again, he is trying to keep that promise.
Trump met with President Xi in October 2025. This meeting happened in South Korea. It is believed that Trump talked about Jimmy Lai then, too. Trump is consistent. He really wants to see this man go free.
Health Concerns are Growing
One big reason for Trump’s request is health. Jimmy Lai is not a young man. As we mentioned, he is 78 years old.
His family is very worried. His daughter, Claire Lai, spoke to the news. She said her father has lost a lot of weight. He is also diabetic. This is a serious condition.
Furthermore, he has been in solitary confinement. This means he is alone in a cell for most of the day. He does not see other people. This is very hard on a person’s mind and body.
Reports say he is weak. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke about this. Rubio said Lai’s health has “severely deteriorated.” This means it has gotten much worse. He has been in prison for more than 1,800 days. That is a very long time for an old man.
China’s Point of View
We must also look at the other side. What does China think? The government in China sees things differently.
To them, Jimmy Lai is a criminal. They say he tried to hurt the country. They believe he worked with foreign countries to cause trouble. Therefore, they think he should be punished.
China usually says that Hong Kong’s laws are their own business. They do not like it when other countries interfere. They call it an “internal matter.”
So, when Trump asks for Lai’s release, it is tricky. Xi Jinping has to look strong. If he lets Lai go, he might look weak to his own people. However, Xi also wants to be friends with Trump. They have a complex relationship. Xi might listen to Trump if he thinks it will help China in other ways, like trade.
International Reaction
It is not just President Trump who is unhappy. Many people around the world are angry about the verdict.
The United Kingdom is very involved. Jimmy Lai is actually a British citizen. The UK government has called for his release many times. They say the trial was unfair.
Human rights groups are also speaking up. Groups like Amnesty International say this is a sad day for freedom. They say that journalism is not a crime. Writing stories should not send you to jail.
Senator Marco Rubio is the US Secretary of State. He is a very important official. Rubio posted a message on social media. He supported Trump’s call. Rubio said China wants to “silence those who seek to protect freedom of speech.” He urged China to end this “ordeal” immediately.
The Death of a Newspaper
We should also talk about Apple Daily. This was Jimmy Lai’s newspaper. It was a symbol of freedom in Hong Kong.
When Lai was arrested, the police also raided the newspaper office. They took computers and papers. They also froze the company’s money. Because of this, the newspaper could not pay its bills.
Sadly, Apple Daily had to close down. The last day was very emotional. People in Hong Kong lined up for hours to buy the final copy. They wanted to show their support.
Now, the newspaper is gone. This makes people sad. It feels like a voice has been silenced. Trump knows this. He knows that a free press is important. By helping Lai, he is also honoring the memory of that newspaper.
What Will Happen in January?
The trial is over, but the story is not. The judge has said Jimmy Lai is guilty. However, they have not decided his punishment yet.
There will be another court date in January 2026. This is called a “mitigation hearing.” In this meeting, Lai’s lawyers can speak. They can ask for a lighter punishment.
After that, the judges will decide how long he stays in prison. The maximum penalty is life in prison. This means he would never leave.
Trump hopes to change this before it happens. If Xi Jinping agrees, maybe the punishment will be lighter. Or, maybe they will let him go home because of his health. This is called “medical parole.” It is a hope, but it is not a promise.
The Importance of Trade
Why would China listen to the US? The answer is often money. The US and China do a lot of business together.
Trump is a businessman. He knows that deals are made with give and take. Maybe he will offer something to China in return.
For example, they talk about tariffs. Tariffs are taxes on goods. Trump might say, “If you release Jimmy Lai, I will be nice about trade.”
We do not know for sure. But in politics, everything is connected. The freedom of one man might be part of a bigger deal.
A Family in Pain
Behind the politics, there is a family. Jimmy Lai has children and a wife. They miss him very much.
His son, Sebastien Lai, has traveled the world. He meets with leaders to ask for help. He wants his father to come home.
His daughter, Claire, says she just wants to hug her dad again. She said if he is released, he will not cause trouble. She said he would spend his time praying and being with family.
This human side of the story is powerful. It touches people’s hearts. Even President Trump seems touched by it. That is why he mentioned that Lai is an “older man.”
Freedom of Speech
This case is about more than one man. It is about a big idea. That idea is freedom of speech.
In the US, we can say what we want. We can criticize the President. It can write blogs like this one. We do not go to jail for it.
In Hong Kong, things have changed. People are afraid to speak now. They saw what happened to Jimmy Lai. They do not want to go to jail.
Trump’s support for Lai sends a message. It says that the US still cares about freedom. It says that writing the truth is valuable.
The Road Ahead
So, what happens now? We have to wait. We have to see what President Xi does.
Will he ignore Trump? Or will he show mercy? It is a test for both leaders.
If Xi releases Lai, it would be a big surprise. It would show goodwill. It might make the relationship between the US and China better. Trump Urges
If he keeps Lai in jail, it will be sad. The US might get angry. There could be more sanctions. Sanctions are punishments for countries. Trump Urges
Why You Should Care
You might live far away from Hong Kong. But this story matters to you too.
It matters because freedom is precious. When one person loses their freedom unfairly, it hurts everyone.
Also, China is a huge country. What happens there affects the world economy. If the US and China are fighting, prices of things might go up. Toys, phones, and clothes could get more expensive. Trump Urges
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