WASHINGTON — President Trump said Wednesday that Dolly Parton “really liked me,” while suggesting the country music icon avoided political fights because she did not want to alienate her audience.
Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff Tuesday following the death of the “I Will Always Love You” singer, who died at 80.
“She was unique. I mean, she was amazing,” Trump, 80, said during an interview with radio host Glenn Beck.
“And to lose her, it’s like you lose a member of the family, you know, we all knew her so well,” he added, reflecting on Parton’s place in American culture.
Trump said he had known Parton “a little bit” and described her as someone who generally kept her distance from partisan politics. “She wasn’t a very political person. She really liked me, I will tell you,” he said.
He went on to say Parton appeared mindful of the risk that taking political sides could cost her support among fans. “She was of the opinion, you know, the 50% — who needs to lose, I don’t think it’s 50. I think it’s probably 20% of the fans, okay?” Trump said.
Still, Trump praised Parton in personal terms, calling her “a great person” and “just a nice person.” He said he “liked her a lot” and believed lowering the flags was “a natural thing” to do.
Parton had long avoided being drawn into political battles and even turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom from both Trump and former President Joe Biden.
She said in 2021 she refused the honor during Trump’s first term due to her husband’s health and to avoid travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, then decided she couldn’t accept it from Biden.
“I feel like if I take it, it’ll be doing politics, so I’m not so sure,” Parton told NBC’s “Today” show.
Trump was a fan of Parton and used her song “Jolene” as part of his campaign playlist.
Parton is the latest musical icon adored by the president to die this year.
Village People frontman Victor Willis died June 30 at age 74, after defending Trump’s use of “Y.M.C.A” as his 2024 campaign anthem.
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” singer Bonnie Tyler died July 8 at age 75. Trump was heard blasting her best-known hit in May over the Rose Garden’s new sound system after she was hospitalized.
