Trump may press Xi Jinping on freeing Catholic activist Jimmy Lai, imprisoned since 2020. Bipartisan senators urge action, citing Lai’s dire health.
Newsroom (27/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) President Donald Trump indicated on October 24 that he may confront Chinese President Xi Jinping about the release of imprisoned Catholic activist and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai during their upcoming meeting. Speaking to EWTN News White House Correspondent Owen Jensen as he boarded Marine One, Trump responded to a question about Lai, saying, “I might do that, yeah.” The comment comes as Lai, a Hong Kong media tycoon, faces a likely conviction in a high-profile national security trial.
Trump’s remarks followed an open letter from a bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including Republicans Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, and Rick Scott, alongside Democrats Tim Kaine and Raphael Warnock, urging the president to prioritize Lai’s release during his discussions with Xi. “Well, I have a lot of respect for Rick Scott. And a lot of them that are asking me to do that,” Trump said, acknowledging the senators’ appeal. “It’s on my list. I’m gonna ask.”
The senators’ letter, published on October 24, emphasized the urgency of Lai’s situation, citing his deteriorating health and the risk of his death in prison. “The humanitarian case for Mr. Lai’s release is stronger and more dire than ever, which is why this must be addressed at the highest possible level,” the lawmakers wrote. They expressed confidence that Trump’s intervention, as “the leader of the free world,” could compel Xi to act.
Lai, who converted to Catholicism in 1997, has been detained since 2020 under China’s controversial national security law. He has faced multiple charges, including fraud and unlawful assembly, which supporters argue are politically motivated due to his vocal criticism of the Chinese Communist Party and his advocacy for democratic values. Despite pleading not guilty to the national security charges, Lai remains imprisoned, with his health reportedly in decline.
Global advocates, including a 2023 congressional commission, have called for sanctions against Hong Kong prosecutors and judges if Lai is not freed. Lai’s steadfast commitment to democracy has earned him international recognition, including the prestigious 2025 Bradley Prize.
As Trump prepares for his meeting with Xi, the senators underscored the broader implications of Lai’s case, stating, “President Xi will understand the importance of releasing Jimmy Lai now, before it is too late.” Whether Trump’s diplomatic efforts will yield results remains uncertain, but his acknowledgment of Lai’s plight signals a potential turning point in the activist’s long battle for freedom.
REPORTER: Lawmakers wrote to you to request that you ask for the release of Jimmy Lai when you meet with President Xi.@POTUS: "It's on my list, I'm going to ask. They're big enemies, so we'll see what happens." pic.twitter.com/yFk7jV92of
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 25, 2025
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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