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

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For months, overseas supporters painted Jimmy Lai as frail and fading fast behind bars. His daughter even claimed his fingernails had turned green and fallen off.

But the man who walked into court today presented a different picture. Lai stepped into the dock on his own, steady and alert. He looked composed — none of the weakness or fatigue described by his family and foreign backers.

No Case for Sympathy

The court’s written judgment made its stance clear: age, health, and solitary confinement were no excuse for leniency. After reviewing detailed medical reports from the Correctional Services Department, the judge ruled that Lai has received proper, continuous medical care — and that no sentence reduction is warranted.

The report dated January 9, 2026, offered a medical snapshot: Lai takes prescribed medication for hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all under control. Tests on his heart and hearing showed no abnormalities.

He had dental issues in 2021 and received specialist treatment, with no follow-up complaints since 2022. His eyesight shows early cataracts but remains stable under observation.

Minor Ailments, Maximum Care

In mid-2024, doctors spotted fungal nail infections on his right thumb and left big toe. Lai declined topical treatment and preferred a conservative approach, which doctors continued to monitor. By late 2025, the condition remained stable, with no signs of worsening.

The report even tracked his weight: 80 kilograms in December 2020, down slightly to 79.2 in January 2026 — both figures putting him in the overweight range for Asian adults.

The defence argued the weight loss showed a health decline, but the court brushed that aside. The key question, the judge said, was not whether Lai had lost weight — but whether it mattered medically. The records said no.

Judge Draws the Line

Medical issues won’t win Lai any leniency, the judge ruled. His crimes were serious, and his own lawyers admitted his ailments weren’t life-threatening. Compassion, the court made plain, has limits when weighed against the severity of the offence.

The court added that speculation about future health decline held no weight. The Correctional Services Department has a duty to ensure proper care, and so far, has fulfilled it.

Isolation by Choice

On Lai’s solitary confinement: that was his own call. Relying on CSD testimony, the judge said Lai repeatedly requested separation from other inmates, citing fears of harassment because of his notoriety. Each time, he confirmed he did so voluntarily.

The CSD made clear that Lai continues to enjoy every right guaranteed to inmates — from family visits and letter correspondence to religious services, outdoor exercise, and full access to medical and psychological care. Every safeguard remains intact. Notably, Lai has never once complained about his medical treatment, and the court pointed out that neither he nor his lawyers disputed any of these facts.