In a moment that’s set political tongues wagging on both sides of the Pacific, President Donald Trump and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto were caught in a candid exchange on October 13, 2025, discussing what appeared to be a Trump family business matter—right after a high-stakes Gaza ceasefire summit in Egypt. The conversation, picked up by a live microphone and video feed in Sharm el-Sheikh, has reignited scrutiny over the blurred lines between Trump’s presidential duties and his personal business interests.
The hot mic moment unfolded just minutes after Trump had addressed world leaders at the Egypt summit, which was convened in response to a newly brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. As cameras rolled and most officials assumed the formalities were over, Prabowo approached Trump behind the lectern. What followed was a muffled, sometimes hard-to-decipher chat that, nevertheless, offered a rare glimpse into the intersection of politics and private enterprise at the highest level.
According to ABC News, Prabowo started by referencing a region that was “not safe, security-wise,” before pivoting to a personal request: “Can I meet Eric?”—a clear nod to Eric Trump, the president’s son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization. Trump, seemingly unfazed, replied, “I’ll have Eric call you,” and added, “He’s such a good boy. I’ll have Eric call.” Prabowo, undeterred, went on to suggest he’d also be open to meeting Donald Trump Jr., another Trump Organization executive vice president, stating, “Eric or Don Jr.”
Neither leader appeared aware their conversation was being broadcast. As Reuters reported, the exchange took place behind a podium, with both men standing in front of a live microphone. The White House and the Trump Organization’s Indonesian business partner, MNC Group, did not respond to requests for comment from multiple outlets, including Reuters and The Independent.
So, what exactly were they discussing? That’s still a bit of a mystery. The audio, described by ABC News as “muffled and at times difficult to discern,” didn’t provide explicit details about the business in question. Still, the context is telling. Just days before the summit, Hary Tanoesoedibjo—founder of MNC Group and a long-time Trump business ally—posted a promotional video for a Trump-branded property in Lido City, Indonesia, touting its “breathtaking views” and “unmatched prestige.” MNC Land, a subsidiary of Tanoesoedibjo’s conglomerate, is also developing a luxury resort and golf club in Bali, which the Trump Organization lists as “coming soon” on its website.
Prabowo’s mention of “Hary” during the conversation was almost certainly a reference to Tanoesoedibjo. As Reuters noted, Tanoesoedibjo attended Trump’s 2025 inauguration, underscoring the depth of their business relationship. MNC Land operates an integrated resort about 60 kilometers south of Jakarta in partnership with the Trump Organization, and although development has been robust, it hasn’t been without hiccups. In February 2025, Indonesian environmental authorities ordered MNC Land to halt development of one of its projects due to water management and environmental concerns.
Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. both serve as executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization, which has expanded its reach in Indonesia through real estate, hospitality, and even blockchain-based ventures. In March 2025, the Trump Organization opened a new golf club in Indonesia, a joint venture with MNC Group. Yet, not all has gone smoothly: another Trump-MNC project in Bali was halted by environmental regulators earlier in the year.
While the details of Trump and Prabowo’s conversation remain somewhat opaque, critics have seized on the incident as further evidence that Trump’s business and political interests are hopelessly entangled. Tony Carrk, executive director of the government watchdog Accountable.US, didn’t mince words, telling ABC News, “There is no line between Trump presidential and personal business.” Carrk went further, suggesting, “The President is apparently using a foreign leader summit as a platform to smooth things over for his son’s condo development ventures in Indonesia.”
For its part, the White House has pushed back hard on such claims. In May 2025, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters it was “frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit.” According to the administration, Trump’s assets are held in a trust controlled by his family, and he has no direct role in business dealings while serving as president—a firewall designed to avoid ethical conflicts.
Yet, the optics of the hot mic incident are hard to ignore. The Trump Organization’s Indonesian projects have been a source of both pride and controversy, reflecting the broader challenges of disentangling private business from public office. The company’s website boasts of its “unmatched prestige” in Indonesia, but the ongoing regulatory and environmental issues have complicated its expansion. The Lido City property, heavily promoted by Tanoesoedibjo, and the stalled Bali resort are just two examples of the complex web of interests at play.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono, when asked about the conversation, downplayed its significance. As reported by Bloomberg, Sugiono said, “They’re friends, so it’s natural for them to speak privately. If there’s anything specific that needs follow-up, I will be informed.” He added that he hadn’t heard the recording and couldn’t confirm whether Prabowo’s mention of “Hary” was indeed about Tanoesoedibjo. The Indonesian Embassy in Washington also declined to comment, as did MNC Group.
For observers, the incident raises perennial questions about the boundaries—if any—between Trump’s public and private interests. While the White House insists on the existence of a robust firewall, watchdogs and political opponents see things differently. The fact that Prabowo specifically requested to meet with Trump’s sons, both high-ranking Trump Organization executives, only fuels speculation about the true nature of the conversation.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Trump’s business activities have overlapped with his political role, and it’s unlikely to be the last. With major projects in Indonesia still pending and the Trump Organization continuing to expand its international footprint, the spotlight on these entanglements is only likely to intensify.
As the world digests the latest ceasefire in Gaza, the drama behind the scenes in Sharm el-Sheikh serves as a reminder that, sometimes, what happens off-mic can be just as consequential as the official speeches. Whether this episode leads to any substantive changes or simply becomes another footnote in the ongoing debate over presidential ethics remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the lines between business and politics, at least in this White House, remain as blurry as ever.
