Donald Trump has joined millions mourning Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s death at 80, issuing a major order in her honor.
The president paid an emotional tribute to Parton shortly after her family confirmed her passing on Tuesday, August 25.
Trump also ordered American flags lowered nationwide for one week, marking the loss of an entertainer he said could never be replaced.
President Donald Trump reacted to Dolly Parton’s death with a lengthy tribute on Truth Social, describing her passing as a tremendous loss to the country.
“Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” Trump wrote. “This is a true loss for millions of people.”
The president then announced that he was taking an extraordinary step to honor the “Jolene” singer, ordering flags lowered across the United States for an entire week.
“There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” Trump continued. “In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
The order came as tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry and beyond for Parton, whose music, philanthropy, and unmistakable personality made her one of America’s most beloved entertainers.
Dolly Parton Previously Turned Down Trump’s Major Offer Twice
Despite Trump’s glowing tribute, Dolly Parton had previously declined a prestigious honor from his administration not once, but twice.
During Trump’s first term, his administration offered the country superstar the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Parton later explained that she rejected the first offer because her husband, Carl Dean, was ill at the time. When she was approached again, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from traveling to accept it.
The singer spent much of her career carefully avoiding partisan politics and resisted attempts to publicly align herself with either side.
In 2016, she clarified that she had not endorsed either Trump or Hillary Clinton after comments praising Clinton’s qualifications were interpreted as an endorsement.
That determination to remain politically neutral continued in subsequent elections, even as Parton’s enormous cultural influence frequently put her at the center of political conversations.
Country Music Icon’s Family Confirms Her Death At 80
Dolly Parton’s death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who also served as the singer’s head of security for more than two decades.
Seaver revealed in an emotional social media video that Parton had instructed him years earlier to make the announcement when the time eventually came.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he explained.
The country legend’s passing came after months of concerns surrounding her health and just days after she publicly discussed the struggles she had been facing.
As The Blast previously reported, Parton admitted that she had neglected some of her own health needs while caring for Dean before his death in March 2025.
A cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
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Hollywood Mourns Dolly Parton As Tributes Pour In
Donald Trump was far from the only prominent figure honoring Dolly Parton after news of her death broke.
According to the Daily Mail, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pedro Pascal and other Hollywood stars joined the outpouring of grief for the music legend.
Fellow country star Reba McEntire also remembered her longtime friend, while Lily Tomlin, who starred alongside Parton in the 1980 comedy “9 to 5,” was among those paying tribute.
The response reflected Parton’s influence far beyond country music. Over her decades-long career, she became a successful actress, songwriter, businesswoman and philanthropist while creating songs that crossed generations and genres.
Parton was particularly celebrated for her Imagination Library, which has distributed books to children around the world.
Dolly Parton’s Final Months Were Marked By Health Struggles
Parton’s death followed an increasingly difficult period in which her health forced significant changes to her professional plans.
The singer canceled her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency after previously postponing the shows and also missed several public appearances.
Earlier this month, health issues prevented Parton from attending the opening of a new attraction at Dollywood. Instead, she appeared via video and explained that her doctor had advised her against traveling.
Despite those setbacks, Parton remained determined to keep creating. The music icon was exploring avatar performances to extend her stage presence as health concerns made traditional live performances more difficult.
She was also moving forward with a Broadway musical based on her life and career.
Those plans testify to the work ethic that defined Parton’s decades in entertainment, even as her health increasingly forced her away from the stage.
