Donald Trump tells 10-year-old boy saved from drowning 'I wouldn't have saved you'

Donald Trump has once again caused a stir with his remarks as he honoured a brave lifeguard who pulled a youngster from huge ocean waves, hailing him as a "real hero"

Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter

08:53, 18 Aug 2026Updated 11:52, 18 Aug 2026

[US President Donald Trump looks on as as he meets with lifeguard Ryder Williams in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 17, 2026. The 16-year-old Williams rescued 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai in rough surf at Seabright Beach last month in Santa Cruz, California. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)]

Donald Trump caused a stir with his remarks as he honoured a brave lifeguard (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Donald Trump has told a 10-year-old boy who nearly drowned in the ocean that he "probably" wouldn't have saved him. The US President once again caused a stir with his remarks as he honoured a brave lifeguard who pulled a youngster from huge ocean waves at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California, last month.

Nathaniel Rai was swept into deep water, but 16-year-old Ryder Williams plunged in, grabbed the boy and clung to him as he dived beneath treacherous waves and fought his way back to shore.

His dramatic rescue was captured on video by bystander Scott Vander Dussen. Trump later shared the footage on X, announcing that he would present the "heroic young man" with a "high civilian honour".

Trump's son, Eric, initially reshared the clip, declaring it "truly the best of America". At the White House, Trump said he understood that Ryder was a "winner right from the time they first saw him as a lifeguard" and hailed him as a "real hero".

[US President Donald Trump meets with lifeguard Ryder Williams (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 17, 2026. The 16-year-old Williams rescued 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai (pictured at R) in rough surf at Seabright Beach last month in Santa Cruz, California. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)]

Nathaniel Rai (R) was swept into deep water, but Ryder Williams (L) plunged in (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

But what he said next was eye-opening. He said with a smile: "I don't know if I'd do it. I wouldn't, probably. You're lucky I wasn't on the service that day."

As for the courageous lifeguard, his response to questions about the rescue was notably humble. Ryder, who wants to attend paramedic school and work as a firefighter, explained how he fell back on his training.

"In those dangerous moments that we have, we fall back on our training, and we are trained so well by many to handle that situation as best we can. I was really thinking about getting the boy out of the water as fast as I can."

"I hope everyone can take away from this is to help more people. Try to look out for everyone around you, and just try to help everybody out as much as you can."

[WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 17: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with 16-year-old California State Parks lifeguard Ryder Williams (L) in the Oval Office at the White House on August 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. Williams rescued 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai (R) in rough surf at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California in July. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)]

Trump hailed Ryder as a heroic young man (Image: Getty Images)

The clip has since gone viral on X, where hundreds of people have shared their thoughts.

One critic said: "Trump's tough-guy persona is a pathetic joke. He talks like a bully, but when real courage is required, he's nowhere to be found." And another commented: "EVERYTHING is about his bloated ego. Everything."

However, others couldn't help but laugh at Trump's bluntness. One said: "He's just being brutally honest, nobody can fault him for it."

Another pointed out: "Trump isn't a lifeguard, if he tried to do it there would be two people in danger instead of one."

And a third added: "Trump admitting he probably wouldnt have jumped into those waves is honestly hilarious. Ryder had the training, courage, and instincts to do what most people couldnt. Huge respect to that young man."

It comes after Trump was mocked online for appearing to fall asleep on the job.

Meanwhile, some social media users have pushed a bizarre theory that a staff member had a "button fitted on her belly" to jolt the POTUS awake.

Footage emerged of Trump appearing to struggle to keep his eyes open in the Oval Office. Observers claimed that each time he seemed to drift off, a woman standing behind him pressed her stomach and he appeared to wake up.

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One user wrote: "She has a button fitted on her belly, and when she gets the nod that hes asleep, she moves her hand and presses a button that wakes him. They're calling her The Zapper."

A second user wrote: "Shes called 'The Zapper'. Presses zapper on her stomach and it zaps Sleepy Don awake." A third said: "Bro's getting rebooted like a malfunctioning laptop."

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