The United States Department of State has put forward the name of Leo Brent Bozell III for consideration as the next Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to South Africa. The announcement came on Tuesday, marking a significant development in the diplomatic relationship between Washington and Pretoria. However, Bozell’s nomination is yet to be confirmed by the United States Senate, a process that could invite scrutiny given the nominee’s background and political affiliations.
Bozell is set to replace Reuben Brigety, who stepped down from the post on 10 January. Brigety’s tenure was not without controversy, and the selection of his successor has drawn interest both in the United States and abroad. With Bozell, the State Department appears to be signalling a shift toward a more ideologically conservative approach in its diplomatic posture toward South Africa.
Born in the US state of Virginia, Leo Brent Bozell III, now 69 years old, has spent much of his professional life entrenched in conservative circles. He has worked extensively within right-leaning political organisations and advocacy groups. Over the decades, he has become a recognisable figure in conservative media and activism.
He was instrumental in the efforts of the National Conservative Political Action Committee during the 1980s, a group that focused on aiding the election of conservative politicians across the United States. This early political activity established Bozell as a staunch supporter of the American right.
Perhaps most notably, Bozell is the founder of the Media Research Center, a conservative watchdog organisation established to monitor and challenge what it sees as liberal bias in mainstream media reporting. The organisation states that it is focused on
“exposing and countering the leftist bias of the national news media”
. This framing of media accountability has made Bozell a polarising figure in debates over press freedom and political discourse in the US.
In addition to his activism, Bozell has authored several books that examine the media landscape through a conservative lens. His works often criticise what he describes as left-wing narratives dominating American newsrooms and entertainment outlets.
Bozell has also expressed strong support for the state of Israel, which may influence diplomatic dynamics in the broader sub-Saharan region should his appointment be confirmed. He is known as
“an outspoken Israel supporter”
, a position that aligns him with a significant segment of US foreign policy perspectives but may complicate his role in multilateral diplomatic engagements.
The nomination is not Bozell’s first attempt at a prominent government role. He had previously been nominated to lead the US Agency for Global Media, a position responsible for overseeing international broadcasting services such as Voice of America. However, that nomination was eventually withdrawn, reportedly due to political concerns and opposition in the Senate.
A deeply personal and controversial chapter in Bozell’s recent history is his son’s involvement in the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Leo Brent Bozell IV was among the rioters who breached the Capitol building and was later convicted for his role. In 2023, he was sentenced to four years in prison. The incident, while separate from Bozell III’s own conduct, may become a topic of public debate during his Senate confirmation hearings.
Given South Africa’s complex and multifaceted relationship with the United States, the nomination of an ambassador with such a distinct ideological profile raises important questions. How will Bozell’s conservative worldview shape US-South Africa relations? Will his known media positions and political history influence public diplomacy efforts in a country with its own vibrant and independent media landscape?
The EFF Rejects His Appointment
The EFF’s Statement Condemning Donald Trump’s Provocative Nomination of Leo Brent Bozell III as USA Ambassador to South Africa –Bozell is no ordinary diplomat. He is a well-documented conservative ideologue, a fierce defender of right-wing extremism, and a man whose career has been built on advancing narratives that undermine progressive values and perpetuate division. As the founder of the Media Research Center, Bozell has spent decades railing against what he perceives as liberal bias, while championing causes that align with the interests of the global white supremacist establishment. His nomination comes on the heels of Trump’s recent actions: freezing financial aid to South Africa, expelling our ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, and issuing baseless accusations of anti-white policies, and the flagrant lie of a so called ‘white genocide’, all of which expose a deliberate strategy to target and destabilise our nation.
The EFF’s Statement Condemning Donald Trump’s Provocative Nomination of Leo Brent Bozell III as USA Ambassador to South Africa
-Bozell is no ordinary diplomat. He is a well-documented conservative ideologue, a fierce defender of right-wing extremism, and a man whose career has… pic.twitter.com/1BlTKzGXvH
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 26, 2025
It also remains to be seen how his stance on Israel, his historical opposition to what he describes as media bias, and his familial link to the Capitol riots will affect his credibility and effectiveness on the international stage.
