Blunders Made by Global Heads of State When They Think They're in Private

This week, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a private conversation with US President Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

However, a live microphone situation captured Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a call with his son Eric, who hold positions at the Trump organization.

This was just one in a series of gaffes committed by world leaders thinking no one can hear them.

Below are five other noteworthy blunders:

Organ Transplants and Everlasting Life

At a military parade in Beijing in early autumn, China's leader Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were overheard discussing organ replacement as a method for extending lifespan.

"Vital organs can be repeatedly transplanted. The longer you live, the more youthful you get, and it's possible to even reach eternal life," the Russian translator was recorded stating.

Xi, who was not visible, answered in Chinese: "Some predict that in this century people may live to 150 years old."

Dialogue recorded from China's leader Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

Ex-Australia immigration minister Peter Dutton faced criticism in 2015 when he made light about the plight of people in the Pacific experiencing ocean encroachment.

Dutton was conversing with former PM Tony Abbott, who had just returned from climate change talks with regional heads in Port Moresby.

Observing how a migration discussion was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott responded: "There was a similar situation up in Port Moresby."

Dutton commented: "Schedules become irrelevant when you're about to have water lapping at your door."

The comments provoked anger from regional nations and climate activists, while the opposition Labor party called for Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton recorded making jokes with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Prejudiced Voter'

While serving as UK PM Gordon Brown was on the trail in 2010, he faced a constituent who questioned him on migration and the economy.

Still wired up to a broadcast microphone when he got into his vehicle, Brown was recorded stating: "That went terribly – they should not have placed me with that woman. Who thought of that? Ridiculous."

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

The scandal dominated headlines for an extended period and Brown ultimately lost the political race.

'I Cannot Bear Netanyahu. He Lies.'

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

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

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

'Major League ***hole'

A classic recording incident 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 unaware that a recording device was active when he turned to Dick Cheney at a political event and remarked, "There's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Misty Perez
Misty Perez

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