
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, 14 October (H.S.): An open microphone at the Gaza Peace Summit has captured an unguarded conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, in which Subianto requested a meeting with Trump’s son, Eric, prompting immediate speculation about the mixing of business and state affairs.
The exchange occurred on Monday after President Trump had addressed world leaders at the summit in the Egyptian resort city. Unaware that their conversation was being recorded, President Subianto was heard mentioning a region that is not safe, security-wise before asking Trump, Can I meet Eric?President Trump responded affirmatively, saying, I’ll have Eric call. Should I do that? He’s such a good boy. I’ll have Eric call. Subianto then appeared to suggest finding a better place and added Eric or Don Jr. to his request.
Both Eric Trump and his brother, Donald Trump Jr., serve as executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization, which has active business interests in Indonesia. According to the company’s website, it operates a golf club near the capital, Jakarta, and lists another golf club and resort in Bali as coming soon.
The conversation has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, as it appears to involve a foreign leader seeking access to the president’s family, who run his business empire. Neither the White House nor the Indonesian Embassy in Washington immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the nature of the discussion.
The audio does not make it explicitly clear whether the men were discussing the Trump Organization or specific business deals.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar