Blunders From Global Leaders When They Think No One Is Listening

Recently, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto believed he was a confidential discussion with American leader Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

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

It represented only one in a string of gaffes committed by world leaders when they assume no one can hear them.

Here are several additional memorable blunders:

Transplant Procedures and Everlasting Life

At a military parade in Beijing this September, China's leader Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were recorded discussing organ replacement as a approach for prolonging life.

"Vital organs can be repeatedly transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and you can even reach eternal life," Putin's interpreter was recorded stating.

Xi, who was off camera, answered in Chinese: "Some predict that in the current era people may live to 150 years old."

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

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

Ex-Australia border protection chief 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 former PM Tony Abbott, who had just returned from climate change talks with regional heads in Port Moresby.

Noting that a migration discussion was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott replied: "There was 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."

The comments provoked anger from regional nations 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'

As Labour prime minister Gordon Brown was on the trail in 2010, he faced a voter who questioned him on migration and the economy.

Remaining connected to a broadcast microphone when he entered the car, Brown was heard saying: "That was a disaster – they should not have placed me with that individual. Whose idea was that? Ridiculous."

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

The scandal received extensive coverage for weeks and Brown ultimately lost the election.

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

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in conversation at the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011 with then French president Nicolas Sarkozy when their comments about Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu were captured by a live microphone.

Sarkozy said: "I can't stand Netanyahu. He's a liar."

Per a account from a French interpreter quoted by Reuters, Obama responded: "You're fed up with him but I must work with him frequently than you."

'Total ***hole'

A classic recording incident from then US presidential candidate George W. Bush occurred when he made a disparaging remark about a journalist from The New York Times.

The Republican presidential nominee was unaware that a microphone was live when he turned to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and remarked, "That's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about exploring how innovation impacts society and drives progress.