Gaffes From World Leaders Believing They're in Private

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

Instead, a hot-mic incident captured Prabowo requesting Trump to arrange a meeting with his son Eric, both of whom hold positions at the Trump organization.

It represented only one in a series of gaffes committed by world leaders when they assume they're off the record.

Here are five other memorable errors:

Organ Transplants and Everlasting Life

During a defense ceremony in Beijing this September, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's head Vladimir Putin were recorded discussing organ replacement as a approach for extending lifespan.

"Vital organs can be continuously replaced. The more you extend your life, the younger you become, and you can even achieve immortality," Putin's interpreter was recorded stating.

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

Dialogue recorded from China's leader Xi Jinping and Moscow's head Vladimir Putin

'Water Lapping at Your Door'

Ex-Australia border protection chief Peter Dutton faced criticism 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 climate change talks with regional heads in Port Moresby.

Noting that a meeting about refugees was running on "Cape York time", Abbott replied: "There was 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."

The comments sparked outrage from Pacific Islands and climate activists, while the political opponents called for Dutton to apologise.

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 voter who challenged him on migration and the economy.

Remaining connected to a broadcast microphone when he entered the car, Brown was heard saying: "That went terribly – they should not have placed me with that woman. Whose idea was that? Absurd."

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

The scandal received extensive coverage for weeks and Brown went on to lose the election.

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

Former US president Barack Obama was in conversation at the international conference in Cannes in 2011 with then French president Nicolas Sarkozy when their remarks about Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu were picked up by a live microphone.

Sarkozy said: "I cannot bear Netanyahu. He deceives."

Per a version from a translator quoted by Reuters, Obama replied: "You've had enough but I must work with him frequently than you."

'Total ***hole'

A vintage 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 recording device was active when he leaned over to Dick Cheney at a political event and remarked, "That's Adam Clymer, complete jerk from the New York Times."

Cheney responded: "Oh yeah, that's true, big time."

Bush at a Labour rally in 2000
Karen Jackson
Karen Jackson

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