Gaffes From World Leaders When They Think No One Is Listening

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

However, a live microphone situation captured Prabowo asking Trump to organize a call with his son Eric, both of whom serve as executives at the family business.

It represented only one in a series of gaffes made by world leaders when they assume they're off the record.

Below are five other memorable blunders:

Organ Transplants and Immortality

At a military parade in Beijing in early autumn, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were recorded talking about organ replacement as a method for extending lifespan.

"Vital 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 heard saying.

Xi, who was not visible, responded in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in the current era humans may reach 150 years old."

Dialogue heard between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Moscow's head 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 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 regional heads in Port Moresby.

Noting that a meeting about refugees was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott responded: "We had a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

Dutton added: "Time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have the ocean reaching your home."

These remarks sparked outrage from regional nations and environmentalists, while the political opponents demanded Dutton to issue an apology.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about rising sea levels

'Prejudiced Voter'

As Labour prime minister Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he encountered a constituent who questioned 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 never have put me with that individual. Whose idea was that? Absurd."

Asked what she had said, he answered: "All topics, she was just a bigoted woman."

The scandal received extensive coverage for weeks and Brown ultimately lost the election.

'I Can't Stand Netanyahu. He Lies.'

Former US president 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 captured by a active recording device.

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

According to a version from a translator cited by Reuters, Obama replied: "You've had enough but I have to deal with him frequently than you."

'Total ***hole'

A vintage hot-mic moment from then US presidential candidate George W. Bush occurred when he made a negative comment about a reporter 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 Labor Day rally and said, "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Todd Martin
Todd Martin

A passionate food enthusiast and advocate for sustainable living, sharing insights on healthy eating and eco-friendly practices.