It never ceases to amaze us when an experienced public figure, accustomed to being surrounded by the media, falls into the hot microphone trap. It happens often, usually to the detriment of the person who seems unaware his or her voice is being picked up by a hot mic.
In this latest case, President Biden engages in a conversation with the Mayor of Ft. Myers, Florida while viewing Hurricane Ian damage. Apparently thinking their voices can’t be heard, Biden drops the F-bomb. As it turns out, a hot mic nearby picks up the presidential profanity, as you can hear in the clip below.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Z1glrjdixh0?feature=share
These days we’re getting accustomed to public profanity that would have been totally unacceptable just a few years ago. Biden is suffering no serious consequences from his faux pas. But don’t be fooled! If you make the mistake of uttering a profanity or any negative statement that you didn’t intend to be heard, a hot mic could be your worst enemy. The consequences could be dire for you and your company.
So, when representing your company before the media or in any public setting, always assume the television camera is on and the mic is hot. It’s an assumption that could save you from the hot mic trap and a great deal of professional pain.