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

Recently, Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a private conversation with American leader Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

However, a hot-mic incident revealed Prabowo requesting Trump to organize a meeting with his son Eric, who hold positions at the Trump organization.

This was just one in a series of missteps committed by international figures when they assume no one can hear them.

Below are several additional memorable blunders:

Transplant Procedures and Everlasting Life

During a defense ceremony in Beijing in early autumn, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were overheard talking about organ replacement as a method 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," the Russian translator was heard saying.

Xi, who was not visible, answered in Chinese: "Some predict that in this century humans may live to 150 years old."

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

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Ex-Australia border protection chief Peter Dutton faced criticism in 2015 when he joked about the plight of residents in the Pacific experiencing ocean encroachment.

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

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

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

These remarks provoked anger from regional nations and environmentalists, while the political opponents demanded Dutton to apologise.

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

'Prejudiced Voter'

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

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

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

The scandal received extensive coverage for an extended period and Brown went on to lose 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 then French president Nicolas Sarkozy when their comments about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were captured by a active recording device.

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

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

'Total ***hole'

A classic recording incident from then US presidential candidate George W. Bush happened as he made a disparaging remark about a reporter from The New York Times.

The Republican presidential nominee was unaware that a recording device was active when he turned to Dick Cheney at a political event and said, "There's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a Labour rally in 2000
Alex Ramos
Alex Ramos

Digital marketing strategist with over a decade of experience, specializing in SEO and content creation for tech startups.