U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed sorrow over the sentencing of Hong Kong media entrepreneur and pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai, urging Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider his release. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had discussed the matter with Xi, citing humanitarian grounds due to Lai’s age and health condition. Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law and faces a potential life sentence.

Following Trump’s remarks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the verdict, calling it evidence of China’s suppression of free speech and democratic rights. Rubio reminded that China had pledged to maintain Hong Kong’s separate judicial system after the 1997 handover. Rights groups and Christian activists, many of whom support Trump, have also demanded Lai’s immediate release, citing his deteriorating health after more than 1,800 days in detention.

Analysts view Lai’s conviction as part of Beijing’s broader crackdown on dissent following the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, deepening concerns over the erosion of the city’s autonomy and press freedom.