U.S. President Donald Trump made a special joke during an Oval Office meeting for 10-year-old Nathanial Rai, who was caught in a rip current off the California coast, and the 16-year-old lifeguard who rescued him. Trump told Rai about lifeguard Ryder Williams: "He's a real hero. I don't know if I'd do it. I wouldn't, probably. You're lucky I wasn't on the service that day."
Rai, 10, wore a dark suit and maroon tie and sat on a gold couch beside his father and Trump. Across from him sat Williams, and both listened as Trump spoke about their ordeal, a video of which had gone viral.
Trump had previously said on social media that the teen lifeguard deserved a civilian honor and that he would invite him to the White House. The dramatic video, which went viral in late July, showed Williams clinging to Nathanial as pounding waves repeatedly crashed over them. At one point, the pair disappeared from view and reappeared as the wave receded.
A second lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, eventually helped get them both back to shore at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz. Trump initially commented on the video in response to a post from his son, Eric Trump, who said Williams deserved "the highest civilian honor."
Meanwhile, Nathanial's father, Sumit, told the Associated Press about Williams: "What he did, I can never repay. I'm forever grateful."
As NBC Bay Area reported, Williams's rescue of Rai unfolded as California lawmakers reviewed proposed legislation that would officially make lifeguards first responders. Analysts say such a status would bring lifeguards more professional recognition, support, and resources, as well as better worker protections and benefits.
NBC Bay Area noted that some people couldn't believe lifeguards were not already first responders. But the outlet also quoted Santa Cruz state senator Laird, who said such a designation was not straightforward: "Of course, lifeguards are first responders, but first responders also go through rigorous training, so you'd have to decide what's appropriate here. How does it work? How does it get designated? What training comes with it? Who pays for it?"