Trump Hates Fake News. So Why Back Jimmy Lai?

US President Trump is about to embark on a highly anticipated trip to China. He claims he will bring up Jimmy Lai during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. But the reality is mind-boggling. A politician who claims to have been persecuted by fake news for years is now standing up for a convicted criminal who banked on fake news to incite social unrest and undermine the rule of law.

Trump claims to have been persecuted by fake news for years.

Trump laid out his plans in an exclusive interview last Monday (May 4). Speaking with conservative Salem News Channel host Hugh Hewitt, the US President mentioned he had called for Lai's release during a previous meeting with Xi. Trump admitted the Hong Kong issue is not easy to handle. Yet, he promised to bring the matter up again during his upcoming visit.

This stance contradicts his own fierce rhetoric against the media. A political insider points out that Trump consistently slams mainstream outlets like The New York Times and CNN as the "enemy of the people." The President accuses them of fabricating fake news, defaming him personally, and jeopardizing US national security. He even stated publicly that their continuous fake reporting aimed at belittling the President is "seditious, perhaps even treasonous."

Apple Daily and Next Digital represent the exact kind of extreme liberal media Trump despises. Founded by Jimmy Lai, these outlets spent years launching malicious attacks on the Hong Kong SAR Government and Central Government leaders. They used sensational, baseless reporting to incite citizens to hate their country and publicly called for foreign sanctions against China. Their methods for fabricating stories against Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong officials perfectly mirror how American liberal media targets Trump. They rely entirely on making things up out of thin air.

The consequences of this fake news were devastating. During the 2019 anti-extradition bill riot, Apple Daily manufactured rumors like the "K the eye-injury woman" and stories of police firing indiscriminately at protesters. These lies were designed to intensify social conflicts. Fueled by hatred from these reports, many young people took to the streets for violent protests. They only woke up to reality and felt deep remorse after being thrown behind bars.

The court judgment in Jimmy Lai's case made the reality clear. He was not exercising press freedom, but rather using his media outlets as political tools trying to overthrow the Central People's Government. He attempted to push Hong Kong into chaos to invite intervention from Western countries like the US. In Trump's own vocabulary, these twisted actions are nothing short of "seditious" and "treasonous." If Lai produced news using the exact same methods in the United States, he would equally be arrested and prosecuted.

Make no mistake: the Jimmy Lai case is a landmark example of cracking down on fake news and its malicious political influence. If Trump truly opposes fake news, he should support the verdict rather than plead for a convicted criminal and agitator. Standing up for Lai only damages Trump's own image as a fighter against fake news. It also severely undermines respect for China's sovereignty.

Ariel

** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **

Zhang Xinyan was a member of the 'Hong Kong Parliament' wanted by the Hong Kong police. She was first detained by Thai police.

But on August 3, she was allowed to fly. She left Bangkok for Vancouver, Canada.

Zhang Xinyan, a wanted member of the 'Hong Kong Parliament'.

The Globe and Mail reports Zhang is a Falun Gong practitioner. In China, Falun Gong is banned. It is listed as an illegal organization.

Zhang had been living in Thailand since 2014. In May, Thai police discovered she had overstayed her visa. They detained her in Bangkok.

Zhang was originally scheduled to fly to Vancouver. But at the last moment before boarding, Thai police discovered her and detained her.

The 'Hong Kong Parliament' is an illegal outfit based in Toronto. It recruits worldwide. Zhang, living in Thailand, signed up. She became one of 15 members.

Then the Hong Kong Police National Security Department put a price on their heads. A HK$200,000 bounty was offered for several members, Zhang included. The charge: subverting state power, a crime under the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Reactions: Canada as a 'Gathering Place for Scum'

Zhang was reportedly applying to immigrate to Canada when she was detained.

Canada later confirmed it would take her, the thinking goes. So Thailand sent her on her way.

Canadians are split on taking in these political refugees. Some Hong Kong immigrants in Canada say the more political dissidents Canada accepts, the more it stirs up local resentment toward ethnic minorities.

Some netizens commented: Sending scum to Canada is actually quite good, making Canada a scum haven!