Trump Appoints Conservative Critic as US Ambassador to South Africa

Leo Brent Bozell's appointment highlights escalating tensions between the two countries following remarks by South Africa's former ambassador.

US President Donald Trump has appointed conservative media figure Leo Brent Bozell III as the American ambassador to South Africa, a move that underscores the increasingly fraught diplomatic relations between the two nations. Bozell, a noted critic of progressive media narratives and a pro-Israel advocate, comes into the role following the recent expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, after contentious remarks that criticized Trump.

The Trump administration has rebuked South Africa's legal actions against Israel regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and has previously alleged that the South African government harbors a bias against white South Africans—including instances where it has been suggested that the government intends to expropriate land from them.

While Bozell's nomination requires confirmation from the Senate, his history of influence in conservative media, including the founding of the Media Research Center, which claims to challenge liberal media biases, precedes him. Notably, he had aimed to lead the US Agency for Global Media, a now-defunct organization overseeing Voice of America, but that nomination was withdrawn.

Bozell's son was involved in the January 6 Capitol riots, serving as a reminder of the family’s polarizing political legacy. Relations between the US and South Africa have soured significantly during Trump's administration, marked by the recent expulsion of Rasool, which has been described as an unusual step for a senior diplomat. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled Rasool a "race-baiting politician," drawing sharp criticism from South African leaders.

Amidst the diplomatic tension, Trump issued an executive order in February halting US aid to South Africa on the grounds of perceived "unjust racial discrimination" against white Afrikaners, a move that has been met with resistance from the South African government. Officials have characterized Trump's actions as built on "misinformation and propaganda," reflecting a broader struggle in US-South Africa relations.