Blunders Made by Global Leaders Believing No One Is Listening

This week, Indonesia's leader Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a confidential discussion with American leader Donald Trump during Middle East peace talks in Egypt.

However, a live microphone situation captured Prabowo asking Trump to organize a meeting with his son Eric, both of whom hold positions at the Trump organization.

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

Here are several additional memorable errors:

Organ Transplants and Everlasting Life

During a defense ceremony in Beijing in early autumn, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were recorded discussing organ transplants as a method for extending lifespan.

"Human organs can be continuously replaced. The longer you live, the younger you become, and you can even reach eternal life," the Russian translator was heard saying.

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

A conversation heard between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Moscow's head Vladimir Putin

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Ex-Australia immigration minister 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 former PM Tony Abbott, who had just returned from environmental talks with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.

Observing how 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 regional nations and environmentalists, while the political opponents demanded Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about rising sea levels

'Prejudiced Voter'

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

Still wired up 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 answered: "Everything, she was just a prejudiced person."

This incident dominated headlines for an extended period and Brown ultimately lost the political race.

'I Cannot Bear Netanyahu. He's a Liar.'

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

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

According to 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 vintage hot-mic moment from then US presidential candidate George W. Bush occurred when he made a disparaging remark about a reporter from The New York Times.

The Republican presidential nominee was unaware that a recording device was active 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: "Oh yeah, he is, big time."

Bush at a Labour rally in 2000
Wendy Johnson
Wendy Johnson

An avid hiker and travel writer with a passion for exploring Italy's hidden natural gems and sharing outdoor adventures.