Trump breaks silence on death of Dolly Parton, 80, as he orders flags at half-mast ‘in her honor’

Developing story first seen 2 hours ago

Daily Mail · 2 hours ago

Donald Trump has broken his silence on the death of Dolly Parton, aged 80, confirming that American flags will fly at half-mast nationwide for a week in her honour. On Truth Social, he wrote that her passing was "a profound loss for millions," adding "there has never been anyone like her, and never will," and that flags would be lowered from Tuesday evening. Her death was confirmed by her nephew Bryan Seaver, also her head of security, in an Instagram video, following months of health problems that had forced her to withdraw from public appearances.

Trump's administration had twice offered Parton the Presidential Medal of Freedom during his first term, both of which she declined, first due to her husband Carl Dean's illness and later because she did not want to travel during the pandemic. Tennessee senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty also paid tribute, praising her impact on the state and her philanthropy. Parton was renowned for staying above party politics throughout her career, though she voiced enthusiasm for Barack Obama in 2009 while declining to endorse either side in the 2016, 2020 or 2024 elections; her last appearance with a sitting president was with George W. Bush in 2006.

Trump confirms Dolly Parton's death, orders flags lowered for a week.
Parton, 80, died after months of health issues.
She twice declined Trump's offer of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

New here? Start with this

Trump's flag order is a tribute to Dolly Parton, the American country singer, songwriter and entertainer who has died aged 80. Parton was one of the biggest names in country music, known for songs including "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" as well as ventures like her Dollywood theme park, and she was widely regarded as beloved across the political spectrum.

Flying flags at half-mast is a traditional way for the US government to mark a period of national mourning, usually reserved for major public figures or tragic events. Trump, as president, has the authority to order this, and he did so via a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

The story also touches on Parton's long-standing approach to politics: she avoided aligning herself with any party or president, having twice turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom offered by Trump during his first term. This context matters because it explains why tributes to her death, including from Trump and Tennessee's senators, are being noted as unusual for a figure who kept her distance from politics throughout her career.

Full account

US President Donald Trump has publicly mourned the death of Dolly Parton, announcing that he had ordered the American flag to be flown at half-mast across the country for a week as a mark of respect. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the country music icon as one of the greatest singers of all time, saying there had never been anyone quite like her and that the world loved her. He said the flags would be lowered from Tuesday evening, an honour usually reserved for statesmen, military figures or moments of national tragedy rather than entertainers.

Parton's death, at the age of 80, was confirmed by her family in a statement shared via an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who had also worked as her head of security. The family said she had died peacefully in Nashville, though no cause of death was given. In an accompanying tribute, they described her as having lived a 'rhinestone life' bright enough for the world to see, praising her wit, warmth and the sense of belonging she gave fans over a seven-decade career, alongside her enduring philanthropic work.

The singer's passing followed a difficult period for her health. She had already postponed a planned residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas last autumn, citing medical procedures, before cancelling the run entirely earlier this year. In the weeks before her death she had also pulled out of an appearance at Dollywood, saying doctors had told her not to travel after she suffered dehydration and dizziness, having reportedly been contending with issues she had put aside while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, before his death last year. Despite this, she had remained active creatively, including involvement in a new stage musical based on her life that opened in Nashville over the summer.

Tributes poured in from figures including Tennessee senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who praised her as a beloved friend and champion of the state. Trump's own history with Parton was notable: his administration twice offered her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she declined both times, first due to her husband's illness and later over reluctance to travel during the pandemic. Parton was famed for steering clear of party politics throughout her career, refusing to be drawn into declaring support for any candidate even as America grew more divided, which some commentators noted made Trump's prominent, high-profile gesture towards a star who never publicly aligned with him particularly striking.

Where outlets differ

Some outlets (Deadline) noted public unease and scepticism about Trump's tribute, quoting reader comments questioning his sincerity given Parton's perceived distance from his politics and values, whereas the Daily Mail-style source presented the tribute more straightforwardly and paired it with warm messages from Tennessee senators.

Coverage of the cause and precise circumstances of death varies little, but Variety and NME give much more detail on her career retrospective, health timeline (the Vegas residency postponement dating back to autumn, the Governors Awards withdrawal) and her decades-long biography, while the Trump-focused sources concentrate almost entirely on the flag order and political reaction.

There is a discrepancy in when health problems are dated: one account ties her most recent setback to caring for husband Carl Dean before his 2024 death, while another emphasises a broader 'months of health woes' framing without the same personal caregiving detail.

Only Deadline explicitly frames flag-lowering as an honour usually reserved for political or military figures, adding context the other sources omit.

More coverage

Art Culture World

Read the full article at the source →