Gaffes From Global Leaders When They Think They're in Private

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

Instead, a hot-mic incident captured Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a call with his son Don Jr, who hold positions at the family business.

It represented only one in a series of gaffes made by international figures thinking no one can hear them.

Below are five other memorable blunders:

Organ Transplants and Immortality

At a military parade in Beijing this September, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were recorded discussing organ replacement as a method for extending lifespan.

"Human organs can be continuously replaced. The longer you live, the more youthful you get, and it's possible to even achieve immortality," Putin's interpreter was heard saying.

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

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

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

Former Australian immigration minister Peter Dutton came under fire in 2015 when he made light about the plight of residents in the Pacific experiencing ocean encroachment.

Dutton was conversing with then-prime minister Tony Abbott, who had recently come back from environmental talks with regional heads in Port Moresby.

Noting that a meeting about refugees was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott replied: "We had a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

Dutton commented: "Schedules become irrelevant 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 demanded Dutton to issue an apology.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Bigoted Woman'

While serving as UK PM Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he faced a voter who questioned him on immigration and the economy.

Remaining connected to a Sky news microphone when he got into his vehicle, Brown was heard saying: "That was a disaster – they should not have placed me with that individual. Whose idea was that? Ridiculous."

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

The scandal dominated headlines for weeks and Brown ultimately lost the election.

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

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in discussion at the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011 with France's leader Nicolas Sarkozy when their remarks about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were captured by a active recording device.

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

Per 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 vintage recording incident from then US presidential candidate George W. Bush occurred when he made a disparaging remark about a reporter 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 political event and said, "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

Cheney answered: "Oh yeah, he is, big time."

Bush at a Labour rally in 2000
Stephanie Austin
Stephanie Austin

An art historian and curator passionate about preserving and sharing the cultural treasures of Italy's iconic destinations.

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