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Trump Honors Lifeguards Ryder Williams, Nathaniel Rai

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump honored lifeguard Ryder Williams and Nathaniel Rai at the White House on Monday.
Ryder Williams rescued Nathaniel Rai from 8-to-10-foot waves at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California, in July, with lifeguard Aaron Bohnen assisting after Nathaniel Rai went unconscious.
Trump called Ryder Williams a hero, praised Nathaniel Rai’s composure, said God was watching, and suggested Ryder Williams might receive recommendations for his firefighter aspirations.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump honored lifeguard Ryder Williams and Nathaniel Rai at the White House on Monday.
Ryder Williams rescued Nathaniel Rai from 8-to-10-foot waves at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California, in July, with lifeguard Aaron Bohnen assisting after Nathaniel Rai went unconscious.
Trump called Ryder Williams a hero, praised Nathaniel Rai’s composure, said God was watching, and suggested Ryder Williams might receive recommendations for his firefighter aspirations.