Blunders From World Leaders When They Think They're in Private

This week, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a confidential discussion with American leader Donald Trump during Middle East peace talks in Egypt.

However, a hot-mic incident revealed Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a meeting with his son Eric, both of whom serve as executives at the Trump organization.

This was just one in a string of gaffes committed by world leaders thinking no one can hear them.

Below are five other noteworthy blunders:

Organ Transplants and Immortality

At a military parade in Beijing this September, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were overheard discussing organ transplants as a method for extending lifespan.

"Vital organs can be continuously replaced. The more you extend your life, the more youthful you get, and it's possible to even achieve immortality," the Russian translator was recorded stating.

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

Dialogue recorded from China's leader Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Former Australian immigration minister Peter Dutton faced criticism in 2015 when he made light about the plight of residents in the Pacific experiencing ocean encroachment.

Dutton was conversing with then-prime minister Tony Abbott, who had recently come back from environmental talks with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.

Noting that a meeting about refugees was running on "Cape York time", Abbott responded: "We had a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

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

The comments sparked outrage from regional nations and climate activists, while the political opponents demanded Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Prejudiced Voter'

As Labour prime minister Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he encountered a voter who questioned him on immigration and the economy.

Still wired up to a Sky news microphone when he got into his vehicle, Brown was recorded stating: "That went terribly – they should never have put me with that woman. Whose idea was that? Ridiculous."

Asked what she had said, he answered: "All topics, she was just a bigoted woman."

This incident dominated headlines for weeks and Brown went on to lose the election.

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

Former US president Barack Obama was in discussion at the international conference in Cannes in 2011 with France's leader Nicolas Sarkozy when their remarks about Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu were picked up by a live microphone.

Sarkozy stated: "I can't stand Netanyahu. He deceives."

According to a account from a French interpreter cited by Reuters, Obama replied: "You've had enough but I have to deal with him more often than you."

'Major League ***hole'

A classic hot-mic moment from then US presidential candidate George W. Bush occurred when he made a negative comment about a reporter from The New York Times.

The GOP candidate was didn't realize that a recording device was active when he turned to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and remarked, "That's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

Cheney responded: "Oh yeah, he is, definitely."

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Barbara Andrews
Barbara Andrews

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about digital transformation and emerging technologies.