During a summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, aimed at establishing lasting peace in Gaza, President Donald Trump was inadvertently recorded on a hot mic speaking with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Subianto expressed a desire to contact Trump’s children regarding a potentially unsafe area in his country.
Unaware that their conversation was being broadcast, Subianto initiated the dialogue by mentioning a region that posed security concerns. In response, Trump, with his back to the microphone, offered to have his son, Eric, reach out. “I’ll have Eric call you. Should I do that? He’s such a good boy. I’ll have Eric call,” Trump said.
The specifics of their discussion remain unclear, but Eric Trump, alongside his brother Donald Jr., serves as Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization. This detail suggests a potential connection to the family’s business interests.
The recorded exchange continued with Subianto mentioning a search for a safer location. Trump asked him to provide updates, to which Subianto replied: “Okay. Yeah, yeah. Eric or Don Jr.” Trump responded by expressing gratitude and assuring him that one of his sons would be in touch.
These comments have raised eyebrows, especially since the Trump Organization launched its first resort in Indonesia in March, with another location in Bali projected to open soon.
The interaction sparked reactions on social media, with some users questioning the ethical implications of the conversation. One user speculated, “OH MY GOD: Trump and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have just been caught on a hot mic discussing a deal (?) (he asks to speak with Trump’s sons Eric and Don Jr – who do NOT work in government). Did we just hear a major crime happen?”
Another user voiced concerns about the potential mixing of political influence with private business interests, stating, “If that recording is genuine, it’s deeply troubling. Mixing political influence with private business interests crosses ethical lines and blurs accountability. Even the appearance of such behavior undermines trust in governance and international diplomacy.”
However, some defended the interaction, citing Subianto’s known interest in having a Trump Hotel resort constructed in Indonesia. One user remarked, “It’s common knowledge that Subianto wants Trump Hotel resort built in Indonesia. He’s on record saying so. Trump did the right thing here and said he was not involved and deferred to the co-presidents of the Trump Organization – Eric and Don Jr. Speaking words is now a major crime!!! OMG!!!”