President Donald Trump has announced plans to invite a 16-year-old lifeguard to the White House to receive a high civilian honor after the teenager rescued a drowning boy from heavy waves while bystanders did not intervene. Trump made the announcement on Tuesday, July 28, in a post on his official X account, praising the lifeguard as heroic and stating the teenager deserves the recognition.
White House Invitation Announced
In his post, Trump wrote: '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!' The honor is among the most prestigious the U.S. government can bestow on a private citizen, typically awarded for outstanding acts of bravery or service outside military duty.
Rescue Video Goes Viral
The story gained national attention after a video of the rescue circulated widely on social media. The footage shows the 16-year-old lifeguard pulling a boy to safety through surging waves while others nearby watched without helping. The video was originally posted on TikTok before being shared by Eric Trump, the president's son, on Monday, July 27. Eric Trump called on his father to recognize the teenager's bravery, writing: 'Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done!'
High Civilian Honor Details
The specific honor Trump referenced has not been named, but the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. Other high honors include the Congressional Gold Medal and the Citizens Medal. The award is typically presented at a White House ceremony, with the honoree and their family in attendance. In this case, Trump also mentioned the possibility of including the rescued boy.
Previous White House Incident
Separately, Trump also shared surveillance footage from a shooting that disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner, praising Secret Service officers for stopping the armed suspect. The attacker breached a security checkpoint with multiple weapons and shot an officer at close range; the officer survived because he was wearing a bulletproof vest. That incident, however, is unrelated to the lifeguard's heroism.
The lifeguard's prompt action in dangerous conditions has drawn widespread praise, with many calling it a testament to courage and quick thinking. The White House has not yet announced a date for the ceremony.
