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

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

However, a live microphone situation revealed Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a call with his son Don Jr, both of whom hold positions at the Trump organization.

This was just one in a string of missteps committed by world leaders when they assume no one can hear them.

Here are five other noteworthy blunders:

Organ Transplants and Everlasting Life

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

"Human organs can be continuously replaced. The more you extend your life, the more youthful you get, and you can even achieve immortality," Putin's interpreter was heard saying.

Xi, who was not visible, answered in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in this century people may reach 150 years old."

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

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

Ex-Australia immigration minister Peter Dutton came under fire in 2015 when he joked about the plight of residents in the Pacific experiencing rising sea levels.

Dutton was conversing with then-prime minister Tony Abbott, who had just returned from environmental talks with Pacific Island leaders 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."

These remarks sparked outrage from Pacific Islands and environmentalists, while the opposition Labor party demanded Dutton to apologise.

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

'Bigoted Woman'

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

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 woman. Who thought of that? Absurd."

When questioned about she had said, he replied: "Everything, she was just a bigoted woman."

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

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

Former US president Barack Obama was in conversation at the international conference in Cannes in 2011 with France's leader Nicolas Sarkozy when their remarks about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were captured by a live microphone.

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

Per a version from a translator quoted by Reuters, Obama responded: "You've had enough but I have to deal with him frequently than you."

'Total ***hole'

A classic hot-mic moment from former White House hopeful George W. Bush happened as he made a disparaging remark about a reporter from The New York Times.

The Republican presidential nominee was didn't realize that a recording device was active when he turned to Dick Cheney at a political event and remarked, "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

Cheney answered: "Oh yeah, that's true, big time."

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Jamie Willis
Jamie Willis

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in reviewing games and sharing strategies to help players level up.