Dolly Parton’s death stunned people around the globe, and President Donald Trump was among those grieving the country-music legend. Only one day after she passed away, Trump offered a striking claim concerning Dolly.
The loss of the legendary singer plunged fans everywhere into mourning. Her nephew Brian Seaver delivered the heartbreaking announcement through an Instagram video on Tuesday, telling the public that Dolly had died at age 80. Her representatives later confirmed that she passed away following a short fight with cancer.
Seaver explained that Dolly had asked him years earlier to make the video announcement, long before he had fully understood it as something that would eventually become real. He had served as her head of security for over two decades, following his father Larry in the role. Although he had imagined the weight of such a moment, he said he had never truly felt it until then.
Dolly Parton dead at 80
Her nephew described the responsibility as an honor accompanied by enormous pride and deep sorrow. The sadness, however, belonged to those who remained rather than to Dolly. He said she had lived in the light and was now in Jesus’s arms, surely welcomed by Carl, her parents, and the many people who had watched her and waited to meet her in heaven.
In the United States, President Donald Trump quickly honored the beloved performer. Writing on Truth Social, he called it extremely sad that Dolly Parton—one of the greatest country singers and far more than that—had died. He described her passing as a genuine loss for millions, adding that nobody had ever been like her and nobody ever would be again.
Trump also announced that, as a sign of respect for Parton, the American flag would remain at half-staff at the White House, every public building and public ground, all military installations and naval stations, and every federal naval vessel in the District of Columbia, throughout the United States, its territories, and its possessions until sunset on September 1, 2026.
He additionally ordered flags lowered for the same period at American embassies, diplomatic missions, consular offices, and other facilities overseas, including military sites, naval vessels, and naval stations.
Dolly Parton rejected the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice
Dolly was never known as an overtly political person. Rather than commenting regularly on politics, she preferred taking practical steps herself to improve people’s lives. She even declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom when it was offered by both Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.
In 2021, during Trump’s first administration, she turned down the distinction because of her husband’s health and worries about traveling amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, Dolly decided she could not accept the award from Biden either. On NBC’s Today, she said that receiving it might appear to be a political act, leaving her uncertain about doing so.
Trump was an enthusiastic admirer of Dolly Parton and included her song “Jolene” on his campaign playlist, though it remains unclear whether the two shared a personal friendship. During a Wednesday appearance on Glenn Beck’s radio program, however, the president made a surprising assertion about the singer.
Donald Trump makes claim about Dolly Parton following her death
According to the New York Post, Trump said Dolly “really liked” him. He also suggested that the country star avoided political involvement because she did not want to alienate a portion of her audience.
Trump described Dolly as unique and extraordinary. Losing her, he said, felt similar to losing someone from the family because the public had known her so well.
The president then said he had known Dolly “a little bit” and insisted that she genuinely liked him.
He continued by suggesting she understood that political involvement could cost her 50% of her audience—though he immediately said he did not believe the figure was really 50 and estimated it was probably closer to 20% of her fans.
Trump concluded that Dolly was a wonderful and kind person. He said he had liked her very much and believed lowering the flags in her honor was the natural response.
Rest peacefully, Dolly Parton. Please share your favorite memories of her in the comments.
