President Donald Trump said he will award a "high civilian honor" to a 16-year-old lifeguard whose rescue of a boy in heavy surf at Seabright Beach went viral after footage posted to SantaCruzNow's Instagram drew millions of views. Eric Trump reshared the clip on X urging recognition, and President Trump echoed the call on Truth Social, saying he would bring the lifeguard and his family to the White House. The rescuer has not been independently identified; a social media post claims his name is Ryder, per Fox News. The post followed closed-door meetings with foreign leaders and was first reported by Mediaite.
Trump Pledges White House Honor For Teen Lifeguard After Eric Trump Shares Viral Rescue
Lifeguard saves boy
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he intends to award a "high civilian honor" to a 16-year-old lifeguard whose dramatic rescue of a young boy at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California, was captured on video and widely shared online. The announcement followed a public call for recognition from his son, Eric Trump.
Details Of The Rescue
Footage posted over the weekend to the SantaCruzNow Instagram page by beachgoer Scott Vander Dussen shows the teenage lifeguard holding onto the child as they fought heavy surf. The clip quickly went viral, attracting millions of views and widespread praise on social media.
Eric Trump reshared the video on X with the message: "Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done!"
On Tuesday, President Trump posted a screengrab of his son's message on Truth Social and appeared to endorse the request, saying the administration would bring the young rescuer and his family — "perhaps, the boy he saved" — to the White House to present a "High Civilian Honor." He added, "Very brave, he deserves it!"
Identity And Context
The lifeguard has not been independently identified. A woman claiming to be his mother posted on social media that his name is Ryder, according to Fox News; that claim has not been independently verified.
Trump's post followed two closed-door meetings he held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both reportedly in town for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
The initial report and related coverage first appeared on Mediaite.
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