Trump reveals Xi Jinpings response to possibly releasing imprisoned Chinese critic Jimmy Lai

President Donald Trump divulged how Chinese President Xi Jinping responded to his inquiry about releasing Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong businessman imprisoned after his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government.Lai, 78, is serving a 20-year sentence after the communist regime found him guilty of sedition and conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces.“I brought up Jimmy Lai.I would say the response to that was not positive.

He said that he’s been, you know, he said it’s been sort of his worst nightmare,” Trump told “Special Report” in an interview that aired Friday.Trump said he spoke with Xi “at length” about Lai’s declining health as the media mogul remains in a Hong Kong prison under reportedly harsh conditions.“I said, well, I would appreciate it if you would release him.He’s gotten old and he’s probably not feeling too well, it would be nice,” the president told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier.“I did not feel optimistic.

I have to be honest with you about that one.”Jimmy’s daughter Claire Lai expressed high hopes of her father’s release on “The Will Cain Show” Thursday, praising Trump as the “liberator-in-chief.”“I’m more hopeful than I’ve ever been that he is the president and this is the administration that will free my father, and we are just so extremely grateful,” she said before Trump spoke with Xi about Lai’s release.Lai, who was imprisoned in 2020, founded a pro-democracy newspaper that regularly criticized the Communist Party, which Chinese authorities say was an effort to undermine the government.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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Never miss a story.Despite being unable to secure Lai’s release from Hong Kong, Trump touted the “hundreds” of prisoners he has helped release, including Americ...