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

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

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

This was just one in a series of missteps made by world leaders when they assume no one can hear them.

Below are several additional noteworthy errors:

Transplant Procedures and Everlasting Life

At a military parade in Beijing in early autumn, China's leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were recorded talking about organ replacement as a method for extending lifespan.

"Vital organs can be continuously 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 off camera, responded in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in the current era people may live to 150 years old."

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

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

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

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 "delayed schedule", Abbott replied: "We had 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 opposition Labor party demanded 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 campaigning in 2010, he faced a voter who challenged him on immigration and the economy.

Remaining connected to a Sky news microphone when he got into his vehicle, Brown was heard saying: "That went terribly – they should never have put me with that individual. Who thought of that? Absurd."

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

This incident received extensive coverage for an extended period and Brown went on to lose the political race.

'I Cannot Bear Netanyahu. He Lies.'

Former US president 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 said: "I can't stand Netanyahu. He deceives."

According to a account from a translator cited by Reuters, Obama responded: "You're fed up with him but I have to deal with him frequently than you."

'Total ***hole'

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

The Republican presidential nominee was didn't realize that a microphone was live when he turned to Dick Cheney at a political event and remarked, "That's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

Cheney responded: "Absolutely, he is, big time."

Bush at a Labour rally in 2000
Shane Smith
Shane Smith

A passionate environmental technologist and writer, dedicated to exploring how innovation can drive sustainability and positive change.