Indonesian leader asks Trump for meeting with son Eric on ‘hot mic’
(Reuters) — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto asked U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday if he could meet with Trump’s son Eric, an executive vice president of the Trump Organization, according to comments by the leaders picked up by a microphone after Trump had addressed a Gaza-focused summit in Egypt.
Trump and Prabowo, who were also seen on video footage, appeared to be unaware that a live microphone was recording their conversation.
The two spoke in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh after Trump delivered remarks to a group of world leaders gathered for the summit, which followed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The White House and the Indonesian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the exchange.
It was not clear in the audio whether the two were referencing the Trump Organization or any business deals involving the president or his family.
Speaking to Trump as the two men stood behind a podium with a microphone, Prabowo refers to a region that is “not safe, security-wise” and then asks Trump: “Can I meet Eric?”
Trump says: “I’ll have Eric call. Should I do that? He’s such a good boy. I’ll have Eric call.”
Prabowo then says: “We’ll look for a better place,” and Trump says again: “I’ll have Eric call you.”
Prabowo says: “Eric or Don Jr.”
Eric Trump and his brother Donald Trump Jr. both serve as executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization, which has business operations involving real estate, hospitality and blockchain-based ventures.
The company operates a golf club outside the Indonesian capital Jakarta, according to its website. Another property in Indonesia, a golf club and resort in Bali, is listed on the website as “coming soon.”
2 charged in prison murder of Ian Watkins, Lostprophets singer
(NYT) — Two men were charged with murder on Monday in the killing of Ian Watkins, the former frontman of the rock band Lostprophets who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex abuse offenses at a prison in northern England, authorities announced.
Watkins, 48, was assaulted Saturday morning at the Wakefield Prison, the West Yorkshire Police said in a statement on Saturday that did not identify him by name. He was pronounced dead after officers and emergency responders arrived, police said.
Two of Watkins’ fellow inmates — Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43 — were arrested on suspicion of murder and were taken into police custody, police said Saturday. The two men appeared in Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning, the BBC reported.
Wakefield, in West Yorkshire County, is a high-security prison for men, including those who have been convicted of sex offenses.
In 2013, Watkins pleaded guilty to 13 charges. His offenses included attempting to rape a baby, sexually touching a 1-year-old, encouraging a fan to abuse her child and making child pornography.
Watkins was sentenced that year to 29 years in prison and six years of probation.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge John Royce described Watkins as a sexual predator who used his power “to induce young female fans” to help satisfy an “apparently insatiable lust and to take part in the sexual abuse of their young children.”