Gaffes Made by Global Heads of State When They Think No One Is Listening

Recently, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto believed he was 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 Don Jr, who hold positions at the Trump organization.

This was just one in a string of missteps committed by world leaders thinking they're off the record.

Here are five other noteworthy blunders:

Organ Transplants and Immortality

During a defense ceremony in Beijing this September, China's leader Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were overheard talking about organ transplants as a method for prolonging life.

"Human organs can be continuously replaced. The more you extend your life, the more youthful you get, and you can even achieve immortality," the Russian translator was recorded stating.

Xi, who was not visible, responded in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in the current era humans may reach 150 years old."

Dialogue heard between China's leader Xi Jinping and Moscow's head Vladimir Putin

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Former Australian immigration minister Peter Dutton faced criticism in 2015 when he made light about the situation of people in the Pacific facing rising sea levels.

Dutton was speaking to former PM Tony Abbott, who had just returned from climate change talks with regional heads in Port Moresby.

Noting that a meeting about refugees was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott responded: "There was a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

Dutton commented: "Time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have the ocean reaching your home."

These remarks provoked anger from Pacific Islands and environmentalists, while the opposition Labor party called for Dutton to issue an apology.

Peter Dutton recorded making jokes with Tony Abbott about rising sea levels

'Bigoted Woman'

While serving as UK PM Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he encountered a constituent who questioned him on migration and the economic situation.

Remaining connected to a broadcast microphone when he entered the car, Brown was recorded stating: "That was a disaster – they should not have placed me with that woman. Who thought of that? Absurd."

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

The scandal dominated headlines for weeks and Brown went on to lose the election.

'I Cannot Bear Netanyahu. He's a Liar.'

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in discussion at the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011 with then French president Nicolas Sarkozy when their remarks about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were captured by a live microphone.

Sarkozy said: "I cannot bear Netanyahu. He's a liar."

Per a account from a translator quoted by Reuters, Obama responded: "You've had enough but I must work with him more often than you."

'Total ***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 Republican presidential nominee was unaware that a recording device was active when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a political event and said, "That's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

Cheney answered: "Absolutely, he is, definitely."

Bush at a Labour rally in 2000
Kyle Glenn
Kyle Glenn

A tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting.