Blunders From Global Heads of State Believing They're in Private

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

Instead, a hot-mic incident revealed Prabowo requesting 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 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, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were recorded talking about organ replacement as a method for prolonging life.

"Vital organs can be repeatedly transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and it's possible to even achieve immortality," Putin's interpreter was heard saying.

Xi, who was off camera, responded in Chinese: "Experts forecast that in the current era people may reach 150 years old."

A conversation heard between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin

'Sea Rising at Your Door'

Ex-Australia border protection chief Peter Dutton faced criticism in 2015 when he joked about the plight of people in the Pacific facing rising sea levels.

Dutton was speaking to former PM Tony Abbott, who had just returned from environmental talks with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby.

Observing how a migration discussion was running on "Cape York time", Abbott replied: "We had a bit of that up in Port Moresby."

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

These remarks provoked anger from Pacific Islands and climate activists, while the political opponents called for 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 faced a constituent who questioned him on immigration and the economy.

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

When questioned about 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 political race.

'I Cannot Bear Netanyahu. He Lies.'

Ex-American leader Barack Obama was in discussion at the international conference 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 stated: "I cannot bear Netanyahu. He deceives."

According to a version 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 classic recording incident from former White House hopeful George W. Bush happened as he made a disparaging remark about a reporter from The New York Times.

The GOP candidate was unaware that a microphone was live when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a political event and said, "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from the New York Times."

Cheney responded: "Oh yeah, he is, definitely."

Bush at a political gathering in 2000
Dr. Susan Tate
Dr. Susan Tate

A dedicated advocate for child safety with over a decade of experience in community outreach and nonprofit management.