President Donald Trump on Tuesday commended a 16-year-old lifeguard who saved a 10-year-old boy from drowning at Santa Cruz beach in California.

A video of the 16-year-old, identified as Ryder, diving into the sea to rescue the drowning boy emerged on the internet over the weekend.

On a couple of occasions, violent sea waves covered Ryder and the 10-year-old he was trying to rescue, but he fought through while holding the boy.

Vander Dussen, who filmed the rescue video and posted it on Instagram, said, “It caught a lot of people off guard. Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time.”

Reacting to Ryder’s heroic act, Eric Trump said, “Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honour. This is truly the best of America! Well done!” on X, posting the rescue video.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump reacted to his son’s post on X, promising that the 16-year-old lifeguard and his family would be hosted at the White House.

“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 honour. Very brave, he deserves it!” Mr Trump said.