Blunders Made by World Leaders When They Think They're in Private

Recently, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a confidential discussion with US President Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

However, a hot-mic incident captured Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a meeting with his son Don Jr, both of whom serve as executives at the family business.

This was just one in a string of gaffes made by international figures when they assume 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 Russian President Vladimir Putin were overheard talking about organ replacement as a method for prolonging life.

"Human organs can be repeatedly transplanted. The more you extend your life, the younger you become, and it's possible to even achieve immortality," Putin's interpreter was recorded stating.

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

A conversation heard between Chinese president 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 made light about the situation of residents in the Pacific experiencing ocean encroachment.

Dutton was conversing with former PM Tony Abbott, who had recently come back from climate change talks with regional heads in Port Moresby.

Noting that a migration discussion was running on "Cape York time", Abbott replied: "We had a similar situation up in Port Moresby."

Dutton commented: "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 opposition Labor party demanded Dutton to issue an apology.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about rising sea levels

'Prejudiced Voter'

As Labour prime minister Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he encountered a voter who questioned him on migration and the economic situation.

Still wired up to a broadcast microphone when he entered the car, Brown was recorded stating: "That was a disaster – they should never have put me with that woman. Who thought of that? Absurd."

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

This incident received extensive coverage for weeks and Brown ultimately lost the political race.

'I Cannot Bear Netanyahu. He Lies.'

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in discussion at the international conference in Cannes in 2011 with then French president Nicolas Sarkozy when their comments about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were picked up by a live microphone.

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

According to a version from a French interpreter cited by Reuters, Obama responded: "You've had enough but I must work with him more often than you."

'Total ***hole'

A vintage hot-mic moment 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 unaware that a microphone was live when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and remarked, "There's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a Labour rally in 2000
Ashley Frazier
Ashley Frazier

A seasoned financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in corporate accounting and tax planning.