US President Donald Trump has formally nominated conservative media commentator and activist Leo Brent Bozell III as the next United States ambassador to South Africa. The nomination, which must still receive confirmation from the US Senate, comes against the backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations, following Washington’s recent expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador and the Trump administration’s vocal opposition to Pretoria’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Bozell, aged 69, is a long-time critic of what he perceives as liberal bias in the media and is known for his staunchly pro-Israel views. He is the founder of several conservative organisations, including the Media Research Center, which seeks to highlight alleged media bias, and the Parents Television Council, an advocacy group focused on broadcasting standards. His previous nomination to lead the now-defunct US Agency for Global Media, an entity responsible for overseeing Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, was ultimately withdrawn.
The diplomatic strain between the United States and South Africa has been intensifying, with Washington recently taking unprecedented measures. In March, the Trump administration expelled South Africa’s ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, citing remarks that were deemed critical of the president. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Rasool as a “race-baiting politician” and, in an announcement on the social media platform X, linked to an article by Breitbart, a right-wing media outlet. The article referenced Rasool’s previous comments, in which he accused Trump of using rhetoric aimed at projecting “white victimhood” as a political strategy. The expulsion of a senior diplomat marks an unusual escalation in diplomatic protocol, as lower-ranking officials are typically the subjects of such measures rather than ambassadors.
The ongoing dispute between the two nations has been exacerbated by South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Pretoria has accused Tel Aviv of committing acts of genocide in Gaza. The Trump administration has been outspoken in its condemnation of the case, calling it a politically motivated attack against Israel. South Africa, which has long been a vocal proponent of Palestinian self-determination, has maintained that its actions are grounded in principles of international law and human rights.
Further deepening tensions, Trump issued an executive order in February freezing all US foreign aid to South Africa. The decision was justified on the grounds of what the White House termed “unjust racial discrimination” against white South Africans, particularly Afrikaner farmers. The administration’s statement referenced South Africa’s Expropriation Act, a controversial piece of legislation that enables the government to acquire private land, with or without compensation, for redistribution purposes.
Land ownership in South Africa remains an enduringly sensitive issue. According to a 2018 government land audit, white South Africans—who comprise approximately 7.2% of the population—own an estimated 72% of individually-owned agricultural land. The African National Congress (ANC)-led government, which governs in coalition with ten other political parties, has argued that land reform is necessary to address historical injustices stemming from apartheid-era dispossession. South African officials have strongly rebuked Washington’s characterisation of the policy, dismissing claims of racial discrimination and asserting that Trump’s decision is based on “a campaign of misinformation and propaganda aimed at misrepresenting our great nation.”
Bozell’s nomination, if confirmed by the Senate, is likely to be a contentious development in US-South Africa relations. His extensive background in conservative political activism and his history of publicly challenging mainstream narratives on issues such as race, media bias, and foreign policy suggest that his tenure in Pretoria could be marked by ideological confrontation. Additionally, Bozell’s family ties have attracted scrutiny, as his son, Leo Brent Bozell IV, was convicted and sentenced to nearly four years in prison for his participation in the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
The timing of this appointment is significant. South Africa is preparing for its general elections later this year, and the geopolitical implications of its legal challenge against Israel are unfolding in real time. The ANC-led government has been seeking to strengthen its ties with other Global South nations and bolster its position within the BRICS economic bloc. At the same time, the Biden administration, should it return to power in January 2025, may reassess some of Trump’s more hardline foreign policy positions, particularly regarding Africa.
As the nomination process moves forward, US legislators will likely scrutinise Bozell’s credentials, his ideological affiliations, and the potential impact of his appointment on an already fraught diplomatic relationship. While his supporters argue that his media expertise and conservative worldview align with the administration’s broader foreign policy goals, critics question whether his outspoken partisanship is conducive to fostering constructive bilateral relations.
With the diplomatic landscape between the two nations at a historic low, Bozell’s potential confirmation will serve as a crucial indicator of how the Trump administration intends to navigate its relationship with South Africa in the coming years. Whether his appointment will stabilise or further destabilise ties between the two nations remains to be seen.
