Former President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to invite a 16-year-old lifeguard and the boy he rescued to the White House. The lifeguard will receive a "high civilian honor" for his actions saving the child from powerful waves at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz.
"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!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. The announcement follows a suggestion from Trump's son, Eric Trump, that the lifeguard be recognized with the highest civilian honor.
Witnesses described the dramatic rescue, with one bystander, Scott Vander Dussen, telling NBC that the approximately 10-year-old boy was swept out to sea by a sudden surge of large waves. "It caught a lot of people off-guard," Vander Dussen said. "Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time."
Other beachgoers and a second lifeguard assisted in bringing the boy back to shore. The child was evaluated by paramedics and reunited with his family. Lifeguards in Santa Cruz undergo extensive training, including at least 56 hours of lifeguard instruction, 24 hours of medical certification, and over 80 hours of marine safety training.
The specific award Trump intends to present is unclear. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is typically reserved for significant contributions to national interests or world peace, while the Presidential Citizens Medal is awarded for exemplary service to the nation or fellow citizens. Summer swells have been contributing to treacherous wave conditions along California's coast.