Trump Praises Hero Lifeguard’s ‘Good Genetics’: ‘When You Look at Him You Can See’

President Donald Trump called teenage lifeguard Ryder Williams a “real hero” and praised him for showing “tremendous grace” when he recently saved a young boy from drowning at the beach during a Monday meeting at the White House.

The president also complimented Williams’ parents, Shannon and Shane Williams, as they stood nearby.

“You did a good job. It’s good genetics,” Trump said, which drew a few chuckles from the room. “When you look at him, you can see, really good.”

Trump did not expand on whether he was harkening back to the much-publicized “great genes/jeans” Sydney Sweeney ad from last year… but it may have been on his mind.

The Williams family was in Washington, D.C. to meet the president a few weeks after the 16-year-old lifeguard rescued a 10-year-old kid from the dangerous surf in Santa Cruz, California.

Williams helped the boy stay alive for a few minutes as waves crashed around them before his fellow lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, and a few good Samaritans were able to help out; Trump saluted Bohnen for the “good assist” on Monday.

Video of the rescue went viral on social media — including being shared by the president’s son Eric Trump on X — and spurred Trump to announce he was bringing Williams and Bohnen to the White House to be awarded a “high civilian honor.” 

Trump on Monday told reporters he believed the heroic moment would help lifeguards “gain respect” nationwide. He then pivoted back to celebrating Williams.

“It’s so amazing to see this happen, to see it before your eyes. I’ve seen surfs, I’ve seen rescues before, I’ve never seen anything quite like this before,” Trump marveled.

The president then quipped the Santa Cruz beachgoers were lucky Williams was on duty and not him on July 25.

“He’s a real hero. You know when you see that, I don’t know if I’d do it — I wouldn’t probably, you’re lucky I’m president,” Trump said. “You’re lucky I wasn’t on service that day… but no, he’s a real hero. It’s an amazing thing.”

Watch above via Fox News.

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