Trump lifeguard White House invite follows Santa Cruz ocean rescue
President Trump says he will honor a 16-year-old lifeguard after a viral rescue at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz County.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
A 16-year-old California lifeguard is headed for a Trump lifeguard White House moment after a dramatic ocean rescue at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz County caught the president’s attention, TMZ reported.
President Trump said Tuesday that he plans to invite the teen and his family to Washington, D.C., after the lifeguard helped save a 10-year-old boy who was struggling in rough surf over the weekend, according to TMZ.
The rescue was captured on video. TMZ reported that the teen lifeguard was on duty at the beach when the young swimmer got into trouble in pounding waves. The lifeguard rushed into the water and helped bring the boy back to safety.
Why is Trump inviting the lifeguard to the White House?
Trump said he wants to recognize the teen for the rescue and plans to present him with a “High Civilian Honor,” TMZ reported. The president also said he might invite the rescued boy as well.
The White House trip was announced after Eric Trump posted the rescue video on X and called on his father to recognize the lifeguard. In the post, Eric Trump wrote that the teen should receive the highest civilian honor and praised him as “the best of America.”
The video helped turn the beach rescue into a national story fast. According to TMZ, the clip showed the lifeguard charging into hazardous surf to reach the boy, who was described as struggling in high waves.
What happened at Seabright Beach?
Seabright Beach is in Santa Cruz County, California, where ocean conditions over the weekend included high surf, according to TMZ. The 10-year-old was in the water when he began having trouble, prompting the teen lifeguard to respond.
TMZ reported that a second lifeguard and several beachgoers also assisted during the rescue effort. The president’s announced invitation, however, was directed at the 16-year-old lifeguard and his family.
After the boy was brought out of the water, paramedics reportedly evaluated him. TMZ reported that he later went home with his parents and appeared to be unharmed.
The lifeguard’s name was not given in the report. No additional details were provided about when the White House visit would take place or which specific civilian honor Trump intends to present.
For now, the teen’s weekend shift at a California beach has become a ticket to Washington, with the president publicly saying he wants to honor him for a rescue that moved from the surf to social media to the national stage.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.