Gaffes From World Heads of State When They Think They're in Private

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

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

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

Below are five other noteworthy errors:

Organ Transplants and Immortality

During a defense ceremony in Beijing in early autumn, China's leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were overheard discussing organ transplants as a method for extending lifespan.

"Vital organs can be continuously replaced. The longer you live, the younger you become, and you can even achieve immortality," Putin's interpreter was heard saying.

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

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

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Ex-Australia border protection chief Peter Dutton came under fire in 2015 when he made light about the plight of people in the Pacific experiencing rising sea levels.

Dutton was conversing with then-prime minister Tony Abbott, who had just returned from climate change talks with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.

Observing how a migration discussion was running on "Cape York time", Abbott responded: "We had a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

Dutton commented: "Time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have water lapping at your door."

The comments provoked anger from Pacific Islands and climate activists, while the political opponents called for Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton recorded making jokes with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Bigoted Woman'

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

Remaining connected to a broadcast microphone when he entered the car, Brown was recorded stating: "That went terribly – they should not have placed me with that individual. Who thought of that? Ridiculous."

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

This incident received extensive coverage for an extended period and Brown ultimately lost the political race.

'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 comments about Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu were captured by a active recording device.

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

According to a account from a French interpreter cited by Reuters, Obama replied: "You've had enough but I must work with him frequently than you."

'Major League ***hole'

A vintage hot-mic moment from former White House hopeful George W. Bush occurred when he made a negative comment 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 Labor Day rally and said, "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Richard Hayes
Richard Hayes

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