Trump Picks Controversial Media Critic as US Envoy to South Africa

President Donald Trump has nominated Leo Brent Bozell III, a conservative media critic and pro-Israel commentator, as the United States ambassador to South Africa. Bozell, founder of the Media Research Center, is known for his outspoken views in support of Israel as well as his ties to right-wing media. Since Trump’s return to the White House, his relationship with South Africa has been frosty. For one, he has been critical of Pretoria’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice. He has also claimed that South Africa is expropriating land belonging to its white minority. Although South Africa has denied these claims, Trump has nevertheless frozen aid to the country. Given this context, his nomination of Bozell will likely inflame existing tensions with Pretoria.

Source: AP