Trump's Envoy Arrives in South Africa Amid Strained Relations

Conservative media critic Brent Bozell takes up post as US ambassador amid policy clashes between Washington and Pretoria.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Brent Bozell, a conservative media critic picked by former President Donald Trump, has arrived in South Africa to take up his post as the new US ambassador. However, bilateral relations between the two countries are strained over a range of issues, including South Africa's genocide case against Israel and Trump's claims of persecution of white Afrikaners.

Why it matters

The arrival of Trump's pick as ambassador signals a potential further deterioration in US-South Africa relations, which have already seen policy clashes on issues like Israel, geopolitics, and trade. This could impact economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The details

Bozell, the founder of the conservative Media Research Center, has been critical of South Africa's policies, including its genocide case against Israel and its 'geostrategic drift' toward US competitors like Russia and China. He has also said he will push Pretoria to end the genocide case and promote Trump's offer of refugee status to white Afrikaners. Meanwhile, the US has imposed tariffs on South African exports and boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg, further straining relations.

  • Bozell arrived in South Africa in February 2026 to take up his post as US ambassador.
  • South Africa filed the genocide case against Israel with the International Court of Justice in 2023.
  • Trump made the offer of refugee status to white Afrikaners in May 2025.
  • The US imposed 30% tariffs on South African exports in August 2025.
  • The US boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg in November 2025.

The players

Brent Bozell

A conservative media critic picked by former President Donald Trump to be the new US ambassador to South Africa.

Cyril Ramaphosa

The President of South Africa, to whom Bozell must present his credentials before officially taking up his post.

Donald Trump

The former US president who appointed Bozell as ambassador to South Africa.

Marco Rubio

The former US Secretary of State who said South Africa's presidency of the G20 forum had an 'anti-American' agenda.

Reuben Brigety

The previous US ambassador to South Africa who resigned in November 2024, just before Trump took office.

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What they’re saying

“I will communicate our objections to South Africa's geostrategic drift from non-alignment toward our competitors, including Russia, China and Iran.”

— Brent Bozell, US Ambassador to South Africa

“It is essential to actively engage on areas of disagreement while seeking opportunities to foster mutual benefit.”

— Brent Bozell, US Ambassador to South Africa

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The arrival of Trump's pick as ambassador signals a potential further deterioration in US-South Africa relations, which could impact economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries. The two sides will need to find ways to actively engage on areas of disagreement while also seeking opportunities for mutual benefit.