Blunders Made by Global Leaders Believing No One Is Listening

This week, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a private conversation with American leader Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

Instead, a hot-mic incident revealed Prabowo asking Trump to arrange a meeting with his son Eric, both of whom serve as executives at the Trump organization.

This was just one in a series of gaffes made by international figures thinking no one can hear them.

Below are several additional memorable blunders:

Transplant Procedures and Immortality

At a military parade in Beijing this September, China's leader Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were recorded talking about organ replacement as a method for prolonging life.

"Vital organs can be repeatedly transplanted. The more you extend your life, the younger you become, and it's possible to even reach eternal life," the Russian translator was recorded stating.

Xi, who was not visible, responded in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in this century 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'

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

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

Noting that a meeting about refugees was running on "Cape York time", 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."

The comments provoked anger from Pacific Islands 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'

As Labour prime minister Gordon Brown was on the trail in 2010, he encountered a voter who questioned him on immigration and the economy.

Still wired up to a Sky news microphone when he got into his vehicle, Brown was recorded stating: "That was a disaster – they should never have put me with that woman. Whose idea was that? Ridiculous."

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

This incident dominated headlines for weeks and Brown ultimately lost the election.

'I Cannot Bear Netanyahu. He Lies.'

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in discussion at the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011 with then French president Nicolas Sarkozy when their remarks about Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu were captured by a live microphone.

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

Per a version from a translator quoted by Reuters, Obama responded: "You're fed up with him but I must work with him frequently than you."

'Major League ***hole'

A classic hot-mic moment from former White House hopeful George W. Bush happened as he made a disparaging remark about a reporter from The New York Times.

The Republican presidential nominee was unaware that a microphone was live when he turned to Dick Cheney at a political event and said, "That's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Vernon Khan
Vernon Khan

A passionate writer and creativity coach with over a decade of experience in helping individuals unlock their artistic and innovative abilities.