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Nathaniel-Rai-rescued
Posted on 08/17/2026 9:52:10 PM PDT by nickcarraway
President Donald Trump welcomed 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai to the Oval Office to honor Ryder’s heroic rescue of Nathaniel, who nearly drowned in the Santa Cruz, California, surf last month.
The rescue, which was caught on camera and went viral, showed Nathaniel clinging to Ryder as the lifeguard struggled to bring them both safely back to shore.
“And he saved this young gentleman,” Trump said, referring to Nathaniel. “Who I had a long talk with. I said, when you have made it without him? And he said, not really. Right? Not really. It was trouble.”
During the event, Trump was asked by Washington Correspondent Jackie DeFusco about a push in Congress to classify open-water lifeguards as first responders, which could expand their access to federal benefits and programs.
“First time I've ever heard the question," Trump said. "But this is something that's been going on, I guess. Is that right? I'd like to put my weight behind it. So let's take a look at it. Very important."
The visit comes just over three weeks after Williams rushed into dangerous surf at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz and saved 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai on July 25.
Video of the rescue showed Williams holding onto Nathaniel as powerful waves repeatedly crashed over the two, at times completely obscuring them from view.
Williams later said he saw the boy lose his footing in ankle-deep water.
“I radioed it in, threw my radio and sunglasses at the base of my tower as I ran toward the kid,” Williams said in a statement released after the rescue.
Williams said the rough conditions prevented him from getting a rescue tube around Nathaniel. The boy eventually became limp as Williams continued holding onto him through several waves.
A second lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, entered the water and helped Williams bring Nathaniel to shore.
Nathaniel later told The Associated Press that he does not remember much of the rescue after the wave swept him off his feet.
The 10-year-old said his next memory was of lifeguards helping him after he was brought back to shore.
“I told him I was thankful he saved my life,” Nathaniel said.
President Trump took notice of the rescue after video of it spread widely online.
In a July 28 Truth Social post, Trump praised Williams and announced plans to invite him and his family to the White House.
“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!”
Trump’s son, Eric Trump, had also praised Williams, calling the rescue “truly the best of America.”
Despite the attention, Williams has repeatedly characterized what happened as simply part of his job.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” Williams said following the rescue. “This is my job and I love what I do. I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day.”
California State Parks said its Santa Cruz District lifeguards performed 34 rescues during the weekend of Williams’ rescue, as large surf, warm weather, and heavy crowds created dangerous conditions at area beaches.
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Ryder Williams is brave, being from Santa Cruz and meeting with President Trump.
“Ryder Williams is brave, being from Santa Cruz and meeting with President Trump.”
Yeah, may get death threats, being the benighted state that Calif is.
“Ryder Williams is brave, being from Santa Cruz and meeting with President Trump.”
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Well said indeed.
BTW, enjoy your many fine posts over time.
Love your Bio as well =:^)
The article reads like it was written by, or at least FED-INTO an AI application.
Nathaniel-Rai-rescued
Probably Trump paid attention because the teen was “straight out of Central Casting” - LOL! Plus, he admires “winners”.
Ronald Reagan saved 77 one summer. He knew the currents suggesting the currents applied to political winds.
This Ryder Williams seems like a brave, upstanding young man who has a bright future ahead of him. Now that he has met with Trump, any bets on how long it will take for him to start getting death threats from unhinged liberals?
“any bets on how long it will take for him to start getting death threats from unhinged liberals?”
I bet the day before yesterday.
Wow, that weekend in California There was 500 search rescues and only one hero. This is absurd just because of social media. Excuse me, when we got 499 ignored.
kinda like that kid in Sandlot ...
My wife took one look at him and said, “He’s a hunk. And should be given a screen test.”
You probably piss in your own Cheerios
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