Blunders From Global Heads of State When They Think No One Is Listening

This week, Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto believed he was a private conversation with American leader Donald Trump during Middle East peace talks in Egypt.

Instead, a live microphone situation captured Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a meeting with his son Don Jr, both of whom serve as executives at the Trump organization.

This was just one in a string of gaffes committed by world leaders thinking they're off the record.

Below are several additional noteworthy blunders:

Organ Transplants and Immortality

At a military parade in Beijing in early autumn, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were overheard discussing organ transplants as a method for prolonging life.

"Human organs can be repeatedly replaced. The more you extend your life, the younger you become, and it's possible to even achieve immortality," the Russian translator was recorded stating.

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

A conversation recorded from Chinese president Xi Jinping and Moscow's head Vladimir Putin

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Former Australian immigration minister Peter Dutton came under fire in 2015 when he made light about the situation of people in the Pacific experiencing rising sea levels.

Dutton was conversing with then-prime minister Tony Abbott, who had just returned from environmental talks with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.

Noting that a migration discussion was running on "Cape York time", Abbott replied: "We had a similar situation up in Port Moresby."

Dutton commented: "Schedules become irrelevant when you're about to have the ocean reaching your home."

These remarks sparked outrage from regional nations and climate activists, while the opposition Labor party demanded Dutton to issue an apology.

Peter Dutton recorded making jokes with Tony Abbott about rising sea levels

'Prejudiced Voter'

As Labour prime minister Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he faced a voter who challenged him on migration and the economy.

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

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

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

'I Cannot Bear Netanyahu. He's a Liar.'

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in discussion at the international conference in Cannes in 2011 with then French president 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."

Per a account from a translator cited by Reuters, Obama replied: "You've had enough but I have to deal with him more often than you."

'Major League ***hole'

A vintage recording incident from then US presidential candidate George W. Bush occurred when he made a negative comment about a journalist from The New York Times.

The GOP candidate was didn't realize that a microphone was live when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and remarked, "That's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Alyssa Martinez
Alyssa Martinez

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to helping others unlock their potential through actionable advice and inspiring stories.