Slip-ups Made by World Heads of State Believing They're in Private

This week, Indonesia's leader Prabowo Subianto thought he was having a confidential discussion with US President Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

However, a hot-mic incident captured Prabowo asking Trump to organize a meeting with his son Don Jr, both of whom serve as executives at the family business.

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

Below are five other memorable errors:

Organ Transplants and Immortality

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.

"Human organs can be continuously transplanted. 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 off camera, responded in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in the current era humans may reach 150 years old."

A conversation recorded from 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 people in the Pacific facing rising sea levels.

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

Observing how a migration discussion was running on "delayed schedule", Abbott replied: "We had a similar situation up in Port Moresby."

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

These remarks provoked anger from Pacific Islands and environmentalists, while the opposition Labor party called for Dutton to issue an apology.

Peter Dutton overheard joking with Tony Abbott about rising sea levels

'Prejudiced Voter'

While serving as UK PM Gordon Brown was campaigning in 2010, he faced a voter who challenged him on migration and the economic situation.

Still wired up to a Sky news microphone when he got into his vehicle, Brown was heard saying: "That went terribly – they should never have put me with that individual. Who thought of that? Absurd."

Asked what she had said, he replied: "Everything, she was just a bigoted woman."

The scandal dominated headlines for an extended period and Brown ultimately lost the election.

'I Cannot Bear 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 remarks about Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu were captured by a active recording device.

Sarkozy said: "I can't stand Netanyahu. He's a liar."

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

'Major League ***hole'

A vintage hot-mic moment from former White House hopeful George W. Bush happened as he made a negative comment about a reporter from The New York Times.

The GOP candidate was didn't realize that a recording device was active when he turned to Dick Cheney at a Labor Day rally and remarked, "That'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
Aaron Rosales
Aaron Rosales

A seasoned financial analyst with over a decade of experience in gold markets and investment strategies across Southeast Asia.