Trump mourns Dolly Parton, orders flags at half-staff for a week

President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff for a week after the death of country music legend Dolly Parton at age 80, calling her "one of the best singers of all time" Source: elcaribedr. The announcement came in a Truth Social post on Tuesday, where Trump wrote, "It is very sad to report that Dolly Parton... has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and there never will be" Source: lavozar. Flags were to be lowered starting at 6:00 p.m. (22:00 GMT) Source: clarin.

The reaction

Parton's death was confirmed by her nephew Bryan Seaver on Instagram, who highlighted her "life shining like a diamond" Source: elnacionalve. Her publicist said she died peacefully in Nashville, though the cause was not disclosed Source: lavozar. Politicians across the spectrum paid tribute, including Tennessee senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who praised her impact on the state Source: infobae.

Legacy and context

Parton, born in Tennessee in 1946, rose from humble origins to become one of the most influential artists in country music, with hits like "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" Source: excelsiormx. She won 11 Grammy Awards and was also an actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist, founding the Imagination Library to promote child literacy Source: diariolibree. Her death came three days after she told People magazine she was still working despite health issues, and she had canceled concerts in Las Vegas in late 2025 Source: clarin. Notably, Parton had twice declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump, citing her husband's illness and the pandemic Source: lavozar.