Slip-ups From Global Heads of State Believing No One Is Listening

Recently, Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto believed he was a confidential discussion with American leader Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

However, a hot-mic incident revealed Prabowo asking Trump to organize a meeting with his son Eric, who hold positions at the family business.

This was just one in a string of missteps made by international figures when they assume no one can hear them.

Below are five other noteworthy blunders:

Transplant Procedures and Immortality

During a defense ceremony in Beijing this September, China's leader Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were overheard talking about organ transplants as a method for prolonging life.

"Human organs can be continuously replaced. The more you extend your life, the more youthful you get, and you can even reach eternal life," Putin's interpreter was recorded stating.

Xi, who was not visible, responded in Chinese: "Some predict that in the current era people may reach 150 years old."

Dialogue heard between 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 situation of people in the Pacific facing ocean encroachment.

Dutton was speaking to former PM Tony Abbott, who had recently come back from environmental talks with regional heads in Port Moresby.

Observing how a meeting about refugees was running on "Cape York time", Abbott replied: "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."

These remarks provoked anger from Pacific Islands and environmentalists, while the political opponents demanded Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Prejudiced Voter'

While serving as UK PM Gordon Brown was on the trail in 2010, he encountered a voter who challenged 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 went terribly – they should not have placed me with that individual. Who thought of that? Absurd."

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

This incident dominated headlines for an extended period and Brown went on to lose the election.

'I Can't Stand Netanyahu. He's a Liar.'

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in discussion at the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011 with France's leader Nicolas Sarkozy when their comments about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were picked up by a live microphone.

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

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

'Total ***hole'

A classic hot-mic moment from then US presidential candidate George W. Bush happened as he made a disparaging remark about a journalist from The New York Times.

The Republican presidential nominee was unaware that a microphone was live when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and remarked, "That's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith

A passionate writer and lifestyle enthusiast with a knack for discovering unique stories and trends.