Who is Trump’s new bodyguard Christian Craighead? SAS commando who rescued hostages in Kenya terror attack
AN SAS hero commando has turned heads with his career shift as he became Donald Trump’s personal bodyguard.
‘Christian Craighead’, the secretive former fighter, exemplified his bravery and smarts when helped rescue hostages during a terrifying Kenya terror attack.
Who is Christian Craighead?
The 48-year-old has received military awards for his service but little is known about Craighead – which is not his real name.
He was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his bravery in a shock 2019 terror attack in Nairobi’s DusitD2 complex.
A terrifying 19-hour siege of the luxury hotel, which started with a suicide bomb detonating, sent shock waves around the world.
Craighead had been in Nairobi at the time for work to help train Kenya’s security forces in counter-terrorism.
The SAS hero’s skills unexpectedly came into action when he stepped in to gun down the terrorists, while off-duty.
Craighead heroically sprung into action and shot two of the murderers, potentially saving dozens of lives.
The SAS commando was praised for his quick actions and awarded the UK’s second-highest military honor – the Conspicuous Gallantry Award.
What happened in the Kenya terror attack?
A coordinated terror attack started on January 15, 2019, when a suicide bomber blew himself up at around 2:30pm local time.
The luxury hotel complex, fitted with restaurants, came under siege and lasted into the next day as authorities desperately tried to save hostages.
This horror situation killed 21 civilians – including a British man, one Kenyan soldier, and five militants.
However, 27 innocent people emerged alive partially down to Craighead’s act of bravery.
The al-Shabaab terror organization was behind the horrifying tragedy, which was cut short by the heroics of Craighead, US Navy Seals, and local authorities.
Why is Christian Craighead Donald Trump’s bodyguard?
The SAS hero was personally thanked by the incoming president for saving American lives in the 2019 attack.
Trump even invited Craighead to a New Jersey rally and introduced the Brit to thousands of MAGA fans.
A family friend reportedly said the former commando had been recruited by Trump in October 2024, according to the MailOnline.
“In October last year Trump personally requested a meeting and asked Chris to become one of his bodyguards,” the source reportedly said.
The President-elect also reportedly told people Craighead’s “eagle eyes” wouldn’t have missed the assassin who attempted to kill Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.
The former SAS hero reportedly accepted Trump’s invitation in December.
“Since then he has been working in the shadows around Trump, organizing reconnaissance around his work diary, and will be alongside him when he is sworn into office on January 20,” the source added.