Donald Trump Enlists British SAS Hero Christian Craighead As Personal Bodyguard.
In a bold enhancement to his security detail, US President Donald Trump has recruited Christian Craighead—a former British SAS operator famed as “Obi Wan Nairobi”—as his personal bodyguard. The move, confirmed by sources close to the White House this week, underscores Trump’s continued emphasis on trusted, high-calibre protection nearly two months into his second term.
Craighead, a 48-year-old veteran hailing from North East England, rose to international prominence during the 2019 DusitD2 hotel complex attack in Nairobi, Kenya. On 15 January of that year, while off-duty and shopping nearby, he single-handedly intervened in an al-Shabaab terrorist siege. Armed with weapons retrieved from his vehicle, Craighead stormed the hotel, eliminating two of the five attackers and rescuing over 200 hostages, including British and American citizens.
His bravery, immortalised in photographs showing him in civilian attire with body armour and an assault rifle, earned him the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross—the UK’s second-highest military honour—and the moniker “Obi Wan Nairobi” from an awestruck public.
The decision to hire Craighead follows Trump’s inauguration on 20 January 2025, marking his return to the presidency after winning the 2024 election. It also comes in the wake of a near-fatal assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July 2024, which left Trump dissatisfied with the Secret Service’s response.
Sources indicate that the President has since opted to supplement his official protection with a privately funded security team. Craighead’s recruitment builds on a relationship that began in 2019, when Trump hosted him at the White House to commend his heroism in Nairobi. Their connection deepened during the 2024 campaign, with Craighead introducing Trump at a rally in New Jersey in May and bonding with Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and his former partner, Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Family friends, cited by the Mail on Sunday, revealed that Trump personally approached Craighead in October 2024, with the ex-SAS operator accepting the role in December after securing financial terms and US residency. Since January, Craighead has been a discreet yet formidable presence at Trump’s side, overseeing security for White House events and accompanying the President on domestic trips. Trump has reportedly praised Craighead’s vigilance, telling aides that his “eagle eyes” would have thwarted the Pennsylvania attacker—a nod to the soldier’s proven instincts.
Craighead’s military pedigree is impeccable. After joining the British Army as a teenager, he served with the Parachute Regiment and the elite Pathfinder Platoon before earning his place in the SAS, where he saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan. His Nairobi heroics remain his defining moment, saving countless lives despite the loss of 21 civilians in the 20-hour ordeal, aided later by US Navy SEALs and Kenyan forces.
The move has stirred some debate, given Craighead’s past friction with the UK establishment. His resignation from the SAS followed a Ministry of Defence ban on his memoir, One Man In, upheld by the High Court in October 2023 over security concerns—a decision he decried as an attack on his free speech. Now based in Texas, Craighead had settled into a low-profile life until Trump’s offer reignited his career.
For Trump, Craighead’s presence reflects a blend of pragmatism and personal loyalty. “It’s not just about safety—it’s about having someone he trusts implicitly,” a White House insider told The Telegraph. For Britain, it’s a point of pride: a North East hero safeguarding the leader of the free world.
“From Nairobi to the Oval Office—Craighead’s the real deal. Britannia’s finest!” With the President facing a contentious second term, Craighead’s steely resolve may prove an invaluable asset.
