Blunders Made by Global Leaders When They Think They're in Private

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

However, a live microphone situation revealed Prabowo asking Trump to arrange a call with his son Don Jr, both of whom serve as executives at the Trump organization.

This was just one in a string of gaffes made by international figures thinking they're off the record.

Here are five other noteworthy blunders:

Organ Transplants and Everlasting Life

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

"Vital organs can be repeatedly replaced. The longer you live, the more youthful you get, and you can even reach eternal life," the Russian translator was recorded stating.

Xi, who was not visible, answered in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in this century humans may reach 150 years old."

A conversation recorded from China's leader 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 joked about the situation of residents in the Pacific experiencing ocean encroachment.

Dutton was conversing with 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 "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 the ocean reaching your home."

These remarks sparked outrage from Pacific Islands and climate activists, while the political opponents demanded Dutton to apologise.

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

'Bigoted Woman'

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

Remaining connected to a broadcast microphone when he got into his vehicle, Brown was heard saying: "That was a disaster – they should never have put me with that individual. Who thought of that? Ridiculous."

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

This incident received extensive coverage for an extended period and Brown ultimately lost the election.

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

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in discussion at the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011 with then French president Nicolas Sarkozy when their comments about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were picked up by a live microphone.

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

Per a account from a French interpreter cited by Reuters, Obama replied: "You're fed up with him but I have to deal with him frequently than you."

'Total ***hole'

A vintage hot-mic moment 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 turned to Dick Cheney at a political event and remarked, "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

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

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Debra Welch
Debra Welch

Award-winning travel photographer with a passion for capturing diverse cultures and landscapes through her lens.