President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will invite a teenage lifeguard to the White House to receive the nation's highest civilian honor, after a dramatic rescue at a California beach went viral. The president posted on Truth Social that the lifeguard, who pulled a 10-year-old boy from churning waves at Santa Cruz's Seabright State Beach, would be presented with a "High Civilian Honor."
"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," Trump wrote. "Very brave, he deserves it!" The award is widely understood to be the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
The rescue unfolded over the weekend when the child lost his footing and was swept away by powerful currents generated by tropical cyclones churning the eastern Pacific. The teen lifeguard, whose name has not yet been released, worked alongside another lifeguard to reach the boy and bring him safely to shore.
Bystander Scott Vander Dussen, who filmed the rescue, told Nexstar's KRON that timing was critical. "Just a couple seconds difference, and I think this would have ended a lot different," he said. The footage quickly spread across social media, drawing praise from across the political spectrum.
Video of the rescue shows the lifeguards battling 10-foot surf to reach the struggling child. The dramatic moment highlighted the dangers of rip currents and heavy surf that have hit California's coast in recent days.
The president's son, Eric Trump, initially proposed the honor in a Monday post on X, writing: "Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done." The father's announcement the next day fulfilled that suggestion.
The move comes as Trump continues to focus on individual acts of heroism and patriotism, often using them to contrast with what he portrays as a politically divided Washington. The award also echoes his past use of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to recognize figures outside traditional political circles.
Critics note that the honor has sometimes been used for political purposes, but the rescue itself has drawn bipartisan praise. The lifeguard's quick action and teamwork with a colleague prevented what could have been a tragedy, local officials said.
While the White House has not set a date for the ceremony, Trump's announcement ensures the teen will receive national recognition. The boy who was rescued and his family are also expected to attend.
