Kathrine Frich
It happens more often than you’d think, a world leader lets their guard down, believing they’re having a private conversation, only to find the whole world listening.
The latest victim was Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who found himself in the middle of a “hot mic” mishap that’s now making global headlines.
During this week’s Gaza peace summit in Egypt, Prabowo thought he was speaking privately with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Instead, nearby microphones picked up his request for Trump to arrange a call with either of his sons, Eric or Donald Jr., both of whom work within the Trump Organization.
It’s just the latest in a long line of diplomatic slip-ups caught on tape, moments that range from cringeworthy to downright historic.
1. Putin, Xi, and the Secret to Immortality
During a September military parade in Beijing, China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin were overheard discussing organ transplants, and how they might extend human life.
Putin’s translator could be heard saying, “Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, you might even reach immortality.”
Xi, speaking in Chinese off-camera, replied: “Some predict that this century, people could live to be 150.”
Cue the collective awkward silence from the scientific community.
2. “The Water’s at Your Door”
In 2015, Australia’s then Immigration Minister Peter Dutton made an offhand joke that didn’t land well at all.
Speaking with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who had just returned from climate talks with Pacific Island leaders, Dutton quipped about time zones and rising seas:
“Time doesn’t mean much when the water’s lapping at your door.”
The comment sparked outrage across the Pacific and among environmental activists.
Green Party lawmaker Larissa Waters summed it up perfectly: “What else do these clowns say when the mics are off?”
3. “That Bigoted Woman”
During Britain’s 2010 election campaign, Prime Minister Gordon Brown had what he thought was a private meltdown after a tough encounter with a voter who questioned him on immigration.
Forgetting his mic was still on, Brown climbed into his car and muttered:
“That was a disaster… Whose idea was that? She was just a bigoted woman.”
The remark was broadcast almost instantly, and dominated headlines for weeks.
Brown publicly apologized, but the damage was done. He lost the election soon after.
4. Obama and Sarkozy on Netanyahu
At the 2011 G20 Summit in Cannes, then–French President Nicolas Sarkozy was caught venting to President Barack Obama about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I can’t stand Netanyahu. He’s a liar,” Sarkozy said according to LV.
Obama’s reply, picked up by the microphones: “You’re tired of him? I have to deal with him more often than you do.”
5. Bush vs. “The New York Times”
And finally, a classic from the 2000 campaign trail.
Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush, unaware his mic was still live, leaned over to his running mate Dick Cheney and muttered:
“There’s Adam Clymer, the major-league asshole from The New York Times.”
Cheney calmly agreed: “Yeah, big-time.”
The moment became a campaign legend, and a reminder that sometimes, honesty really isn’t the best policy when microphones are involved.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation
