Blunders Made by Global Heads of State Believing No One Is Listening

Recently, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a private conversation with US President Donald Trump during Middle East peace talks in Egypt.

Instead, a live microphone situation revealed Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a meeting with his son Eric, who hold positions at the Trump organization.

It represented only one in a series of gaffes committed by international figures when they assume no one can hear them.

Below are several additional noteworthy errors:

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 approach for extending lifespan.

"Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and you can even reach eternal life," Putin's interpreter was recorded stating.

Xi, who was off camera, responded in Chinese: "Some predict that in this century 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 plight of residents in the Pacific experiencing rising sea levels.

Dutton was conversing with former PM Tony Abbott, who had recently come back from climate change talks with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.

Observing how a migration discussion was running on "Cape York time", 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."

These remarks sparked outrage from regional nations and environmentalists, while the opposition Labor party demanded Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Bigoted Woman'

As Labour prime minister Gordon Brown was on the trail in 2010, he faced a constituent who questioned him on immigration and the economic situation.

Remaining connected to a broadcast microphone when he entered the car, Brown was recorded stating: "That was a disaster – they should not have placed me with that individual. Whose idea was that? Ridiculous."

Asked what she had said, he replied: "All topics, she was just a prejudiced person."

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

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

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 picked up by a active recording device.

Sarkozy stated: "I can't stand Netanyahu. He deceives."

According to a version from a French interpreter quoted by Reuters, Obama responded: "You've had enough but I have to deal with him more often than you."

'Major League ***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 unaware that a microphone was live when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and remarked, "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

Cheney answered: "Absolutely, he is, definitely."

Bush at a Labour rally in 2000
Sergio Guzman
Sergio Guzman

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to sharing insights that inspire personal growth and happiness in everyday life.