Trump told reporters he spoke with Xi during the Beijing state visit about imprisoned Christian Pastor Ezra Jin and said Xi was "giving very serious consideration" to his release.

Jin, the pastor of Zion Church, which was founded in Beijing, was detained in November 2025. He is one of 18 members of the church who are currently imprisoned in China, his daughter said.

But the president expressed less confidence about the release of Lai.

"I discussed Jimmy," Trump said. "It's a tougher one. I did bring it up. It's a tough one. For him it's a tougher one."

Jimmy Lai is a Hong Kong businessman who founded the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily.

"[Xi] told me, and I don't want to mislead anybody," Trump said. "He said Jimmy Lai is a tough one for him. He went through a lot, right or wrong, went through a lot. So, he told me that would be a tough one. He said he's going to strongly consider the pastor."

In February, 78-year-old Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison, meaning he will probably die in jail if he is not released. He was convicted in December on two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned Lai's sentence.

"The Hong Kong High Court's decision to sentence Jimmy Lai to 20 years is an unjust and tragic conclusion to this case," Rubio said in a statement.

"It shows the world that Beijing will go to extraordinary lengths to silence those who advocate fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, casting aside the international commitments Beijing made in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration," he added.

Rubio also urged authorities to grant Lai humanitarian parole, arguing that Lai and his family "have suffered enough."

Leading up to Trump's visit to Beijing, Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-FL, led 105 members of Congress in penning a letter urging Trump to fight for "Jimmy Lai's full and unconditional release when meeting with President Xi at the upcoming summit."

Scott praised Trump for "doing everything he can to get Jimmy Lai free."

"Sometimes doing the right things means having to negotiate with an absolutely despicable dictator like Xi," Scott told The Daily Signal. "Jimmy is 78, diabetic, and is suffering in solitary confinement only because he believes in freedom. We can't give up. I'm going to keep fighting for Jimmy's release no matter what it takes." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell is the White House correspondent for the Daily Signal.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Repentance and Revival: Dutch Sheets and Lou Engle at Rededication 250 in DC [Video]

'God Is Not Done with America': Thousands Gather on National Mall to Rededicate USA to God

What Xi Said to Trump About Imprisoned Christians in China

130 Lawsuits Filed across 32 States to Stop Democrat Election Shenanigans, as Trump Deploys Army of Election Lawyers to STOP THE STEAL

'American People Will Learn About What We Uncovered': Acting AG Blanche Says There's a 'Ton of Evidence' 2020 Election Was Rigged

In Case You Missed It, We've Been Taking Down Some Really Bad Guys Lately

ISIS Second-in-Command Abu-Bilal al-Minuki Killed by US and Nigerian Forces

US Trade Rep: China Committed to Not 'Provide Material Support to Iran'

Texas Children's Hospital to Create First-Ever 'Detransition Clinic' in Historic Settlement

This Sunday, May 17, Franklin Graham and Cissie Graham Lynch Join Rededicate 250 to Give Thanks to God and Seek His Forgiveness and Mercy for America

An American Shabbat

The Bible, America 250, and Restoring 'What Really Matters'

'We Are in a Spiritual War': Sean Feucht Issues Urgent Warning [Video]

Cuba Falling: There's a Lot Going On Right Now. This Could Be the Breaking Point

Senate Votes 99-0 to Cut Off its Pay during Shutdowns

SCOTUS Allows Abortion Drug 'Status Quo' to Stand as Litigation Continues

Supreme Court UNANIMOUSLY Rules Freight Brokers Can Be Sued for Negligently Hiring Illegal Alien and Foreign Truckers in Major 9-0 Decision

Trump Departs China after 'Great' 2-Day Talks With Xi

CIA Whistleblower Presents Damning Picture of Biden Administration Cover-up of COVID Origins

Message from Franklin Graham for America