Blunders From World Heads of State When They Think No One Is Listening

This week, Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto believed he was a confidential discussion with American leader Donald Trump during Middle East peace talks in Egypt.

However, a live microphone situation captured Prabowo requesting Trump to organize a meeting with his son Eric, both of whom serve as executives at the Trump organization.

It represented only one in a string of gaffes made by world leaders when they assume they're off the record.

Here are several additional memorable blunders:

Organ Transplants and Everlasting Life

At a military parade in Beijing in early autumn, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were overheard discussing organ transplants as a approach for extending lifespan.

"Vital organs can be repeatedly transplanted. The more you extend your life, the more youthful you get, and you can even reach eternal life," Putin's interpreter was recorded stating.

Xi, who was off camera, answered in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in the current era humans may reach 150 years old."

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

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Former Australian border protection chief Peter Dutton came under fire in 2015 when he made light about the situation of people in the Pacific experiencing ocean encroachment.

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

Observing how a migration discussion was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott responded: "There was a similar situation 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 regional nations and climate activists, while the opposition Labor party called for Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Bigoted Woman'

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

Still wired up to a broadcast microphone when he got into his vehicle, Brown was recorded stating: "That went terribly – they should not have placed me with that individual. Whose idea was that? Absurd."

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

The scandal dominated headlines for an extended period and Brown ultimately lost the election.

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

Former US president Barack Obama was in discussion at the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011 with then French president Nicolas Sarkozy when their remarks about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were picked up by a live microphone.

Sarkozy said: "I cannot bear Netanyahu. He deceives."

Per a version from a translator quoted by Reuters, Obama responded: "You've had enough but I must work with him more often 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 journalist from The New York Times.

The GOP candidate was didn't realize that a recording device was active 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 responded: "Oh yeah, that's true, definitely."

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes

A passionate writer and UK explorer, sharing personal experiences and insights on modern living and travel adventures.