Trump Appoints Brent Bozell III as New US Ambassador to SA

(The Post News)– US President Donald Trump has officially nominated Leo Brent Bozell III to be the next ambassador to South Africa, succeeding Reuben Brigety, who resigned in January. Bozell’s nomination was confirmed on March 24 and is expected to go through a confirmation process in the Republican-controlled US Senate.

Trump announced Bozell’s appointment on his social media platform, calling the media activist and founder of the Media Research Center (MRC) a “fearless” and “extraordinary” choice for the role. “Brent is the founder of the Media Research Center, which has exposed fake news hypocrites for many years,” Trump said in his statement, highlighting Bozell’s long-standing commitment to conservative media causes.

Bozell, 69, is well-known for his vocal conservative opinions and his contribution to the development of right-wing media. Since its founding in 1987, his Media Research Center has focused on criticising what it perceives to be liberal bias in the media. But for more contentious reasons, his son Leo Brent Bozell IV has been in the news after he was given a prison sentence in 2024 for his involvement in the Capitol disturbance on January 6, 2021. Trump pardoned him earlier this year, and he was set free.

The timing of Bozell’s nomination is noteworthy, coming amid heightened tensions between the US and South Africa. These tensions escalated following the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador to Washington earlier this month, as well as accusations from the US that South Africa is discriminating against its white minority.

While some political figures in South Africa have raised concerns, others have welcomed the nomination. The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), a conservative political party, expressed support for Bozell’s appointment. “Bozell’s experience in media and politics makes him a fitting choice,” the party said, adding that they would seek a meeting with the ambassador once confirmed.

In contrast, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have condemned the nomination, calling it a “hostile” act and accusing Trump of using it to deepen the divide between the two nations. The party argued that Bozell’s conservative stance makes him unsuitable for a diplomatic role, labelling the appointment as an “imperialist” move that could harm South Africa’s sovereignty.

The African National Congress (ANC) has not taken a firm stance on Bozell’s appointment. Fikile Mbalula, the ANC’s secretary-general, stated that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). He emphasised that the government would follow proper procedures, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, to assess the credentials of any diplomatic appointment.

Neither the Democratic Alliance (DA) nor DIRCO have made official comments on the matter, with the DA’s spokesperson on international relations, Emma Powell, stating that her party does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries. Bozell’s nomination still has to be approved through the US Senate confirmation process.