Trump vows to ‘save’ Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai as trial nears end

President Donald Trump has pledged to advocate for the release of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, whose national security trial resumed this week amid judicial skepticism over sedition charges.

Catch up: Lai, a 77-year-old British citizen who founded the now-closed Apple Daily, could face life in prison on charges of colluding with foreign forces and publishing seditious content.

The Beijing critic has spent over 1,700 days in solitary confinement since his bail was denied in December 2020, with authorities alleging he used his media outlets to encourage international sanctions from April 2019 to June 2021. Prosecutors claim he funded the “Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong” advocacy group to promote Western action against China, though Lai denies knowing about the organization. Observers consider his trial a crucial test for Hong Kong’s press freedom and court independence.

Latest proceedings: Tuesday’s proceedings saw High Court judges challenge prosecutor Anthony Chau’s claim that Apple Daily articles lacked constructive criticism and offered no solutions to government issues. Judge Esther Toh questioned whether opinion pieces must include remedies to avoid sedition charges, asking, “You can write a critical article about the water problem, but do you have to venture to offer solutions?”

Chau argued that Lai systematically portrayed Beijing negatively to justify Western interference, maintaining his efforts even after the national security law took effect. The trial was postponed twice last week due to bad weather and Lai’s heart condition, which required medical monitoring equipment.

Trump as “savior”: The case reflects Hong Kong’s eroding press freedoms since China imposed the national security law in June 2020 following pro-democracy demonstrations across the city. President Donald Trump has promised to advocate for Lai’s release, though he retreated from previous statements hinting at a guarantee on the media mogul’s freedom. “I didn’t say 100% I’d save him. I said 100% I’m going to be bringing it up. And I’ve already brought it up, and I’m going to do everything I can to save him,” Trump told Fox News Radio last week.

Lai, for his part, had previously counted on Trump’s influence, instructing Apple Daily’s Taiwan office to avoid negative coverage of the then-former president while organizing letter-writing campaigns to seek his intervention against the security law.

The prosecution is expected to complete closing arguments Wednesday before defense attorneys present their final case.