US President Donald Trump has nominated Leo Brent Bozell III as the new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of South Africa. This announcement, dated March 24, follows the resignation of former ambassador Reuben Brigety, who exited the position on January 10 this year.
Bozell’s nomination comes at a time of heightened tension between the United States and South Africa, leading to speculation regarding Brigety’s successor. Notably, Dana Brown, who previously served as the chargé d’affaires in South Africa, resigned abruptly last month and was succeeded by David Greene. This series of changes has left room for various figures within the MAGA movement, including Joel Pollak, to express interest in the ambassadorship.
Amidst the media frenzy surrounding the transition, Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for the South African Presidency, clarified that the South African government would respect the decision of the Trump administration regarding Brigety’s replacement, stating, “We have no role to play in the decision.” The silence from Pretoria underscores the diplomatic practice of neutrality in foreign appointments.
Brent Bozell III, a well-known figure in conservative media circles, has made headlines prior to his nomination due to his vocal support for Trump and criticisms of the Biden administration. Notably, he took to social media in January to express gratitude to the former president for pardoning his son, a participant in the January 6 Capitol riots. Bozell shared his sentiments on X, formerly known as Twitter, celebrating his son’s return and commending Trump for addressing what he termed the “persecution of J6 defendants.”
The nomination process for Bozell is particularly timely as he is poised to take on dual roles; earlier in January, Trump also announced his appointment as CEO of the United States Agency for Global Media. Trump praised Bozell for his understanding of the global media landscape and promised that Bozell would “bring some much-needed change” to the agency, echoing themes of liberty and justice that are central to his political messaging.
The implications of Bozell’s ambassadorship could be wide-reaching, especially considering the complex dynamics between the US and South Africa. As he prepares for his confirmation hearing, Bozell aims to engage with Senate discussions to align the priorities of his role with the vision set forth by Trump. His past experiences suggest he will leverage his position to advocate for conservative principles in a region that is increasingly important in global geopolitics.