Donald Trump honored Dolly Parton after her death at 80, directing that American flags be flown at half-staff across the country for a full week in tribute to the music icon.
‘Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,’ the president wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump described Parton’s passing as a devastating loss felt by millions of admirers and said the flag order would take effect Tuesday evening.
‘There has never been anyone like her, and never will,’ Trump added. ‘Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.’
Parton, widely celebrated as the queen of country music, leaves behind an extraordinary catalog of songs, a cultural legacy that stretched far beyond Nashville and generations of fans now mourning her loss.
Trump had frequently spoken warmly of Parton over the years, and during his first administration she was twice offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
She declined the initial offer because her husband, Carl Dean, was unwell, and later passed on the second opportunity because she did not want to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite her enormous public profile, Parton long kept her political beliefs private, steering clear of partisan debate even as political divisions in the United States grew sharper.
Trump called her death a profound loss for millions, and announced that flags would be lowered beginning Tuesday evening
Trump ordered flags to be lowered across the nation to honor Parton
Parton, the legendary queen of country music, leaves behind a towering musical legacy and legions of grieving fans
Her passing came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her wellbeing
Parton’s home-state senators also paid tribute, with Marsha Blackburn saying there were ‘no words to adequately express the sorrow’ felt by her family and Tennesseans and declaring: ‘Dolly, we will always love you.’
Bill Hagerty said he and his wife, Chrissy, were ‘deeply saddened’ by the loss of a ‘dear friend’ and ‘entrepreneurial juggernaut’ who helped transform Tennessee while bringing joy to millions through her music and philanthropy.
The legendary country singer’s death was confirmed today in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security.
‘This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,’ Seaver revealed.
Her passing came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her wellbeing.
Parton’s determination to remain above partisan politics continued throughout Trump’s rise despite pressure from media critics to declare where she stood.
She clarified in 2016 that she had endorsed neither Trump nor Hillary Clinton after her praise of Clinton’s qualifications was mistaken for an endorsement.
Parton again refused to take sides during the 2020 election and stayed out of Trump’s race against Kamala Harris four years later.
Parton’s determination to remain above partisan politics continued throughout Trump’s rise despite pressure from media critics to declare where she stood
Parton’s last known public appearance with a sitting president came in December 2006 with George W. Bush at the White House
Parton generally avoided White House events and kept her distance from sitting politicians, regardless of party.
Her last known public appearance with a sitting president came in December 2006, when George W. Bush welcomed her to the White House before she was celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Parton, however, was openly enthusiastic about Barack Obama early in his presidency, telling Larry King in 2009 that he was ‘going to be a great president’ and urging Americans to ‘get behind him, pray for him, support him, and hope for the best.’
