Gaffes Made by World Leaders When They Think They're in Private

This week, Indonesia's leader Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a confidential discussion 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, both of whom serve as executives at the family business.

This was just one in a series of missteps committed by international figures thinking they're off the record.

Here are five other memorable blunders:

Organ Transplants and Everlasting Life

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

"Vital organs can be continuously transplanted. The more you extend your life, the younger you become, and you can even reach eternal life," the Russian translator was heard saying.

Xi, who was off camera, answered in Chinese: "Some predict that in this century humans may reach 150 years old."

A conversation recorded from Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Former Australian border protection chief 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 former PM 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 responded: "There was a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

Dutton commented: "Time doesn't mean anything 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 called for Dutton to issue an apology.

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

'Prejudiced Voter'

While serving as UK PM Gordon Brown was on the trail in 2010, he encountered a voter who challenged him on migration and the economy.

Remaining connected to a Sky news microphone when he entered the car, Brown was heard saying: "That went terribly – they should never have put me with that individual. Who thought of that? Ridiculous."

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

This incident dominated headlines for weeks and Brown went on to lose the political race.

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

Former US president Barack Obama was in discussion at the G20 summit 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 active recording device.

Sarkozy stated: "I cannot bear Netanyahu. He's a liar."

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

'Major League ***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 didn't realize that a recording device was active when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and said, "There's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

Cheney answered: "Oh yeah, he is, big time."

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Jon Davis
Jon Davis

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