Slip-ups Made by World Heads of State When They Think No One Is Listening

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

Instead, a hot-mic incident revealed Prabowo asking Trump to arrange a call with his son Don Jr, who serve as executives at the family business.

It represented only one in a series of gaffes committed by world leaders thinking they're off the record.

Below are several additional memorable errors:

Transplant Procedures and Everlasting Life

During a defense ceremony in Beijing in early autumn, China's leader Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were recorded talking about organ replacement as a method for extending lifespan.

"Human organs can be continuously replaced. The more you extend your life, the younger you become, and you can even reach eternal life," Putin's interpreter was recorded stating.

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

Dialogue recorded from Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

Former Australian immigration minister Peter Dutton faced criticism in 2015 when he joked about the situation of people in the Pacific experiencing ocean encroachment.

Dutton was speaking to then-prime minister 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 responded: "We had a similar situation up in Port Moresby."

Dutton added: "Schedules become irrelevant when you're about to have the ocean reaching your home."

The comments sparked outrage from regional nations and climate activists, while the political opponents called for Dutton to issue an apology.

Peter Dutton recorded making jokes with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Prejudiced Voter'

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

Still wired up to a broadcast microphone when he entered the car, Brown was heard saying: "That went terribly – they should not have placed me with that individual. Who thought of that? Absurd."

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

This incident received extensive coverage for an extended period and Brown went on to lose the election.

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

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

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

According to a account from a French interpreter quoted by Reuters, Obama replied: "You've had enough 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 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, "There's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

Cheney responded: "Absolutely, that's true, definitely."

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Sherry White
Sherry White

A seasoned business strategist with over a decade of experience in helping startups scale and succeed in competitive markets.

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