President Trump plans to nominate L. Brent Bozell III, a conservative media critic and staunch defender of Israel, to serve as the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, as reported on the Congressional website.
Mr. Bozell had previously been nominated to lead the United States’ global media agency, but that nomination was withdrawn on Monday, according to the same source.
His name was among several submitted to the Senate on Tuesday for various ambassadorial positions, as confirmed by two government officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the process. The State Department has declined to comment on the matter.
If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Bozell will assume the role at a time when U.S.-South Africa relations are at a low point. Recently, the Trump administration expelled South Africa’s ambassador to the United States following critical remarks made during a webinar.
The Trump administration has expressed discontent with the South African government regarding its close ties with Iran and its critical stance towards Israel, including a genocide case brought at the International Court of Justice concerning the conflict in Gaza.
It remains unclear whether Mr. Bozell has any personal ties to South Africa. He is the founder and president of the Media Research Center, a group that scrutinizes network television hosts and mainstream media for perceived liberal bias. Once a critic of Mr. Trump, Mr. Bozell has since become a supporter. His son, Leo Brent Bozell IV, was among those convicted in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack but was later pardoned by Mr. Trump.
Mr. Bozell has been an outspoken advocate for the Israeli government. Following Hamas's attacks on Israel in October 2023, he launched a fundraising appeal for Israel on his organization’s website, stating that he typically does not solicit for external causes but felt compelled to do so due to the urgency of the situation. “Israel is fighting for its very existence,” he remarked.
The Trump administration has also accused the South African government of discriminating against the white minority population. Last month, Mr. Trump issued an executive order suspending all American aid to South Africa and offering refugee status to Afrikaners, a white ethnic group that previously governed during apartheid.
Elon Musk, a South African native, has frequently criticized the South African government on social media, making unfounded claims about mass killings of white farmers and alleging that his satellite business, Starlink, was barred from operating in South Africa due to racial ownership requirements.
South African officials have expressed surprise at the criticisms from Mr. Trump, Mr. Musk, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asserting that these statements are based on misinformation.