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‘Thief of Doha': Meet the original owner of the $400 million jet gifted to Trump
The luxury plane gifted to US President Donald Trump belonged to Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, a senior member of Qatar's Al Thani royal family and the country's former prime minister. Image courtesy: Instagram/@hbj_althani
A gold-plated flying palace once owned by a powerful Qatari royal has suddenly become the centre of storm, and it now has Donald Trump 's name on it.
The ultra-luxurious Boeing 747-8, reportedly worth $400 million, is set to become Trump's new version of Air Force One. He accepted the aircraft as a gift earlier this week, saying, 'only a fool would refuse it'. The move instantly raised eyebrows in Washington.
While the ethical and security concerns around the jet are already making headlines, it's the man who originally owned it that's adding fuel to the fire.
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According to the New York Post, the Qatari sheikh the plane was built for has a history full of controversy — from allegations of corruption and antisemitism to a messy $20 million legal dispute involving high-end hotels.
The plane belonged to Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, a senior member of Qatar's Al Thani royal family and the country's former prime minister. He's better known by his initials, HBJ, which, interestingly, are still visible in the jet's tail number.
Here's a closer look at who he is.
Who is Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, owner of the jet gifted to Trump?
Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, more commonly known as HBJ, is one of the most influential figures in Qatar's modern history.
His great-uncle, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, founded modern Qatar in 1971. HBJ is also a cousin of the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The sheikh took a dive into politics in the early '90s, serving as Qatar's Foreign Minister from 1992. By 2007, he had also taken on the role of Prime Minister, a position he held until 2013. During this time, he helped shape Qatar's foreign policy and was a key player in expanding the country's influence across the globe.
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Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, more commonly known as HBJ, is one of the most influential figures in Qatar's modern history but he has
Forbes notes that HBJ's power extended well beyond his official roles. Many saw him as the mastermind behind Qatar's rapid rise, from oil wealth to strategic global investments and alliances.
Beyond his political career, he is known for his vast wealth and global investments. Over the years, HBJ has made massive investments across Europe and the UK. He's had stakes in Harrods, the London Stock Exchange, and even the Shard, the tallest building in the EU, which earned him the nickname 'the man who bought London,' from British national daily, The Independent.
He also owns one of the largest and most extravagant yachts in the world, the 436-foot Al Mirqab, valued at around $300 million. It comes complete with luxurious suites, a cinema, a helipad and all the trimmings of ultra-rich living.
As of 2025, Forbes estimated his net worth at $4 billion, placing him eighth on its list of the richest Arabs.
Controversies galore
Over the years, the 66-year-old royal has faced multiple serious allegations and legal issues that have kept his name in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
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He was even branded the 'Thief of Doha' by a Washington-based think tank, after the U.S. Department of Justice accused him of overseeing bribery and corruption linked to Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Then, in 2023, HBJ sparked outrage during an interview with Kuwaiti outlet Al-Qabas, where he made openly antisemitic remarks.
'Imagine oil was sold by some Jews … what would be the price of a barrel oil? It would be the most expensive thing in the world,' he said — a comment that drew widespread condemnation.
There's also the matter of a $20 million legal battle involving a luxury hotel group. According to The New York Post, HBJ was accused of backing out of a deal and causing massive financial losses, leading to an intense international court case.
Despite the scandals, HBJ has managed to maintain a low profile in recent years. But with his lavish jet now tied to Donald Trump, the sheikh is once again under scrutiny.
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All about the 'flying palace' gifted to Trump
The aircraft gifted to Donald Trump is one of the largest and most expensive private jets in the world — a Boeing 747-8 worth around $400 million.
It comes equipped with three spacious bedrooms, a private lounge, and an executive office. The plan is to temporarily use this jet as Air Force One , while the US waits for the delayed delivery of two new presidential aircraft.
The aircraft gifted to Donald Trump is one of the largest and most expensive private jets in the world, a Boeing 747-8 worth around $400 million. File photo/AFP
Trump said accepting the jet would save the government hundreds of millions of dollars, which could instead be spent on what Trump said to 'Make America Great Again'.
In a post on Truth Social, he clarified: 'The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One until our new planes—which are delayed—arrive.'
Still, a significant amount of work needs to be done before it can be used. The aircraft will have to be stripped down and retrofitted with advanced communication systems and security features required for any US presidential flight.
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'You would want to check the airplane out completely – strip it down, check for bugs, things like that, harden it to make sure nobody could hijack the electronics on the airplane,' a retired senior military official told CNN. 'The ability for the president to command and control his military in the worst days, that takes a lot.'
Air Force One. File image/AFP
The entire process could take months or even up to two years, depending on how much modification is needed.
According to CNN, the US Air Force will oversee the retrofitting, alongside other agencies like the Secret Service, CIA, NSA, and the White House Communications Agency.
Once Trump's term ends, the aircraft is expected to be moved to his presidential library for public display.
With input from agencies
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