Slip-ups From Global Leaders When They Think No One Is Listening

This week, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto believed he was a confidential discussion with US President Donald Trump during Middle East peace talks in Egypt.

Instead, a hot-mic incident revealed Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a meeting with his son Don Jr, both of whom hold positions at the family business.

It represented only one in a string of gaffes made by international figures thinking no one can hear them.

Here are several additional noteworthy errors:

Transplant Procedures and Immortality

At a military parade in Beijing in early autumn, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were recorded talking about organ transplants as a method for extending lifespan.

"Vital organs can be repeatedly replaced. The longer you live, the more youthful you get, and it's possible to even achieve immortality," Putin's interpreter was recorded stating.

Xi, who was not visible, answered in Chinese: "Some predict that in the current era humans may reach 150 years old."

A conversation recorded from China's leader Xi Jinping and Moscow's head Vladimir Putin

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

Former Australian immigration minister Peter Dutton came under fire in 2015 when he joked about the plight of people in the Pacific experiencing rising sea levels.

Dutton was speaking to then-prime minister Tony Abbott, who had just returned from environmental talks with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.

Observing how a migration discussion was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott replied: "We had a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

Dutton added: "Time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have water lapping at your door."

These remarks sparked outrage from Pacific Islands and climate activists, while the opposition Labor party called for Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Prejudiced Voter'

While serving as UK PM Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he faced a voter who challenged him on immigration and the economy.

Still wired up to a broadcast microphone when he entered the car, Brown was heard saying: "That went terribly – they should not have placed me with that individual. Who thought of that? Ridiculous."

When questioned about she had said, he replied: "All topics, she was just a prejudiced person."

The scandal dominated headlines for weeks and Brown ultimately lost the political race.

'I Can't Stand Netanyahu. He Lies.'

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in conversation at the international conference in Cannes in 2011 with France's leader Nicolas Sarkozy when their comments about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were picked up by a live microphone.

Sarkozy stated: "I cannot bear Netanyahu. He deceives."

Per a version from a translator quoted by Reuters, Obama replied: "You're fed up with him but I have to deal with him more often than you."

'Total ***hole'

A classic recording incident from former White House hopeful George W. Bush occurred when he made a negative comment about a journalist from The New York Times.

The GOP candidate was didn't realize that a microphone was live when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and remarked, "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

Cheney answered: "Absolutely, he is, big time."

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Joe Dickson
Joe Dickson

Tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and sharing practical insights.