President Donald Trump has officially appointed Leo Brent Bozell III, a prominent conservative media critic and staunch pro-Israel advocate, as the new U.S. ambassador to South Africa. The announcement arrives during a period of increasing diplomatic friction between the two nations, particularly after the U.S. expelled South Africa's ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, over statements perceived as anti-Trump.
Bozell's nomination follows a series of controversial moves by the Trump administration, including its outspoken critique of South Africa's legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice concerning the Gaza conflict. These diplomatic tensions have been exacerbated by the administration's claims about the persecution of white South Africans amidst land ownership disputes, with Trump freezing U.S. aid to South Africa citing “unjust racial discrimination.”
At 69, Bozell has a history of founding several conservative organizations, including the Media Research Center, which aims to combat perceived liberal biases in the media. His previous bid for a leadership position within the now-defunct U.S. Agency for Global Media faced withdrawal, but this latest nomination places him in a significant diplomatic role that must still receive Senate confirmation.
Relations between the U.S. and South Africa have soured sharply under Trump's administration. Notably, Secretary of State Marco Rubio's comments on Rasool being a "race-baiting politician" and the subsequent expulsion of the ambassador was met with backlash, as many saw it as an attack on diplomatic discourse. South Africa's government, led by the African National Congress, has criticized Trump's actions as based on misinformation and propaganda.
As South Africa continues to navigate these diplomatic hurdles, Bozell's appointment signals a divergence in U.S. foreign policy that may have lasting implications for bilateral relations moving forward.
