Leo Brent Bozell III was nominated on 25 March as the new US ambassador to South Africa. But just who is the man Trump wants to lead US-SA relations through their frosty current state?
A surprise choice
The previous ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, resigned in January. To fill his shoes, Leo Brent Bozell III must attend US Senate hearings before he can be confirmed as the new ambassador.
Bozell’s nomination surprised some analysts. Joel Pollak, an editor at Conservative journal Breitbart News, was thought to be a likely candidate. Pollak, who was born in South Africa, is a zealous critic of the country and a fervent Trump supporter.
So who is the man chosen ahead of him?
Leo Brent Bozell III is the founder of the Media Research Center (MRC), which describes itself as “the largest media watchdog organization in America”. Bozell started the organisation in 1987 and remains its president. The MRC runs several conservative media products, including the CNSNews.com newswire.
Bozell comes from a traditionally Conservative family. Both his father and uncle were notable Conservative writers. Bozell’s son, Leo Brent Bozell IV, was part of the group that stormed the US Capitol in 2021 after Trump lost the 2020 election. According to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer,Leo Brent Bozell IV was sentenced to four years in prison in 2024. Trump pardoned him earlier this year.
The 69-year-old Leo Brent Bozell III has a BA in history and a PhD in an unknown subject. Bozell founded ForAmerica, an organisation that aims to “restor[e] America to its founding principles” in 2010. He also launched a group “dedicated to restoring decency to Hollywood” in 1998.
Leo Brent Bozell III’s controversial politics
According to AP News, Leo Brent Bozell III is well-known as a fervent pro-Israel supporter. The MRC website currently displays a banner reading: “The Media Research Center Stands With Israel”.
This may cause friction in the ambassadorial role. In his February executive order, Trump accused South Africa of fueling terrorism in the Middle East. South Africa launched a case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, in 2023.
Politico reports that Bozell was initially critical of Trump in the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries. At the time, Bozell is reported to have said on Fox News, “God help this country if this man were president.” He seems to have changed his tone after his remarks lost the MRC funding.
US-SA relations remain at a low point
It’s no secret that relations between the United States and South Africa are hanging by a thread. Since returning to the White House, President Trump has taken aim at the country numerous times.
In February, Trump signed an executive order freezing aid to South Africa. His false allegation of discrimination against Afrikaners has stoked anger and racial tension across the country.
The shock move to expel South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, also alarmed the country. An unrepentant Rasool arrived in Cape Town on Sunday after he accused the Trump administration of white supremacy. President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson says the president is in no rush to name Rasool’s replacement.
Earlier this week on 23 March, Trump again criticised South Africa. Commenting on his aide Elon Musk’s post about Julius Malema’s signing of Kill the Boer, Trump wrote: “As I have long been saying, South Africa is a total – and very dangerous – mess.” Like a number of Trump’s close associates, Elon Musk was born in Apartheid-era South Africa.
Will Leo Brent Bozell III help or hinder US-SA relations?
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