Gaffes Made by World Leaders When They Think No One Is Listening

This week, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a confidential discussion 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 Don Jr, who serve as executives at the Trump organization.

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

Below are five other noteworthy blunders:

Transplant Procedures and Immortality

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

"Vital organs can be continuously replaced. The more you extend your life, the more youthful you get, and it's possible to even achieve immortality," Putin's interpreter was heard saying.

Xi, who was off camera, answered in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in this century humans may live to 150 years old."

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

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

Former Australian 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 speaking to then-prime minister Tony Abbott, who had just returned from climate change talks with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.

Noting that a migration discussion was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott replied: "We had a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

Dutton added: "Time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have water lapping at your door."

These remarks sparked outrage from regional nations and climate activists, while the opposition Labor party called for Dutton to apologise.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about coastal flooding

'Prejudiced Voter'

While serving as UK PM Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he faced a voter 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 individual. Whose idea was that? Ridiculous."

When questioned about she had said, he answered: "All topics, she was just a prejudiced person."

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

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

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

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

Per a account from a French interpreter quoted by Reuters, Obama responded: "You're fed up with him but I must work with him more often than you."

'Total ***hole'

A classic recording incident from former White House hopeful George W. Bush happened as he made a disparaging remark about a journalist from The New York Times.

The GOP candidate was unaware that a recording device was active when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a political event and remarked, "That'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
Brian Salazar
Brian Salazar

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