Donald Trump makes flag order in honour of Dolly Parton following her death at 80: ‘A true loss’
President Donald Trump has announced that American flags will be flown at half-mast across the United States for seven days following the death of country music legend Dolly Parton.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump called Ms Parton “one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER,” declaring her passing “a true loss for millions of people.”
He ordered the lowering of flags to begin at 6pm on Tuesday evening.
“There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” the president wrote, adding: “Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
Dolly Parton has died at 80 years old
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GETTYMr Trump described the 80-year-old entertainer as irreplaceable, making clear the gesture was intended to reflect the scale of her significance to the nation.
Ms Parton’s death was confirmed earlier today, with her nephew Brian Seaver sharing an emotional video message on her Instagram page.
The singer had been battling undisclosed health problems in recent months, having pulled out of scheduled performances and a Dollywood appearance.
Mr Seaver, who served as Ms Parton’s head of security for over twenty years, said: “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
He revealed that his aunt had asked him years ago to be the one to deliver the announcement.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others,” he said, referencing her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
No cause of death has been disclosed.
Born into deep poverty in a one-room cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee in 1946, Ms Parton was the fourth of twelve children.
She transformed her humble origins into a remarkable six-decade career that saw her sell more than 100 million records worldwide and collect 11 Grammy Awards.
Her catalogue of hits, including Jolene, 9 to 5 and Islands in the Stream, made her one of the most recognisable voices in popular music.
She penned I Will Always Love You as a farewell to her former collaborator Porter Wagoner, though the song achieved its greatest commercial success when Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Beyond music, Ms Parton starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 film 9 to 5, which propelled her into mainstream Hollywood.
Tributes from fans flooded social media within minutes of the announcement. “I am DEVASTATED. What an absolute icon this woman was. May she rest in peace,” wrote one mourner, while another posted: “Rest in peace, Queen, Angel, Friend to All. We love you.”
Donald Trump has requested flags to be lowered in honour of Dolly Parton
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REUTERSMs Parton’s impact extended far beyond the recording studio.
Her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, grew into the state’s largest tourist attraction and a significant local employer.
Through her Dollywood Foundation, she established a literacy programme that posted a book each month to every child in the county from birth to age five.
Since launching in 1995, the initiative has sent out more than 300 million children’s books globally, with six million distributed in Britain alone.
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