Trump invites heroic teen lifeguard who saved drowning boy to White House for 'High Civilian Honor'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has announced plans to invite a 16-year-old California lifeguard to the White House after the teenager's dramatic rescue of a drowning child captured national attention.

On Wednesday, July 29, Trump praised Ryder's bravery in a post on X, saying the teenager deserved a "High Civilian Honor" for risking his own life to save a 10-year-old boy from powerful waves off the California coast.

The announcement came after video of the rescue spread widely online, showing Ryder repeatedly disappearing beneath crashing waves while holding onto the struggling child before bringing him safely back to shore.

Trump invites heroic California lifeguard to White House

Trump used social media to announce that he wanted to recognize the young lifeguard in person.

"We're going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!" the president wrote.

His post followed a message from his son, Eric Trump, who had earlier shared the rescue footage and argued that Ryder should receive the nation's highest civilian honor.

Eric described the teenager's actions as "truly the best of America," bringing even more attention to the dramatic rescue.

The Santa Cruz State Lifeguard Association also praised Ryder's actions, telling Fox News that the teenager did an "excellent job" during the rescue and remained calm throughout the life-threatening incident. 

Video captures Ryder's daring ocean rescue

The rescue unfolded at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz after a 10-year-old swimmer was pulled into dangerous surf by a powerful shore break.

Video shared online captured Ryder swimming through heavy whitewater while holding onto the frightened child. At several moments, both appeared to disappear beneath the waves before resurfacing and continuing toward safety.

Witnesses described the frightening scene as beachgoers rushed to help. One person recalled that a sudden swell surged onto the beach without warning, catching swimmers and people on the shore by surprise.

Another witness said people quickly formed a human chain near the water while a jet ski and a lifeguard rescue truck raced toward the scene.

"It was all so incredible and we all clapped and told the lifeguard great job as he ran past us to his tower to grab some aid once the kid was rescued," the witness wrote in a comment on the Santa Cruz State Lifeguard Association's Instagram page.

The witness added that Ryder remained calm throughout the emergency before returning to work after the rescue.

Ryder's mother responds to viral rescue praise 

As the rescue continued to attract attention, an Instagram user identifying herself as Ryder's mother thanked people for their support.

She explained that her son does not have an Instagram account and said he had simply been "doing the job that he absolutely loves."

Instead of encouraging donations for Ryder, she asked supporters to contribute to local junior lifeguard programs and urged officials to formally recognize lifeguards as first responders.

"Thank you to all the lifeguards! They're having quite the summer and these people are all incredible," she wrote.

According to the Santa Cruz State Lifeguard Association, Ryder's rescue was one of more than 25 water rescues carried out along the Santa Cruz coastline that day as powerful swells, sneaker waves, and dangerous rip currents created hazardous conditions.

After earning praise from witnesses, fellow lifeguards, and thousands online, the teenager is now set to receive recognition from the White House after President Trump personally announced his invitation.