Trump Hosts Teen Lifeguard and Rescued Boy at White House

President Donald Trump hosted a 16-year-old lifeguard and the 10-year-old boy he rescued from rough waters off the California coast at the White House on Monday, lauding both for their bravery.

Ryder Williams, a lifeguard with California State Parks, and Nathaniel Rai were invited to the Oval Office after a video of the July rescue in Santa Cruz went viral, amassing millions of views worldwide.

Trump described watching the footage repeatedly, saying, "When I first saw it, I said, 'roll that back, I want to see that again.'" He called Williams a "real hero" and told Nathaniel that "God was watching you."

The president also praised Nathaniel's calm demeanor during the ordeal, noting he was "cool, considering the problems." He told the boy, "Your father is the happiest man in the world."

Williams, wearing his lifeguard uniform, credited his training for his quick response. "In those dangerous moments, we always try to fall back on our training," he said. "I really was just thinking about how to get the boy out of the water as fast as I can."

He added that he hopes to attend paramedic school and become a firefighter. Trump suggested he might offer recommendations to help with that goal.

The rescue involved Williams pulling Nathaniel to shore as heavy waves repeatedly crashed over them. Another lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, assisted in getting them safely to land. Williams had previously described finding Nathaniel unconscious after he lost his footing in shallow water.

Trump, who had shared the video on his Truth Social platform in July, remarked on the uniqueness of the rescue. "I've seen rescues before. I've never seen anything quite like this," he said.