WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he's ordered U.S. flags to be lowered across the country in honor of the late iconic country music star Dolly Parton, who died at 80 years old.
Trump, in a Truth Social post shortly after Parton's death was announced, said he directed American flags to be lowered for the next week beginning at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 25.
"Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will," Trump wrote. "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."
Parton's death was announced in a video message from her nephew Bryan Seaver on her social media pages. "Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by (her husband) Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens," he said in the video.
Parton rose from poverty as a child in rural Appalachia in East Tennessee to become a country star in Nashville, with hit songs such as "I Will Always Love You," "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "9 to 5." She was also widely admired for her philanthropy including, her "Imagination Library" program, which gifted more than 300 million books to children across the world over 31 years.
No cause was provided for Parton's death, but concerns about her health grew in 2025 after she postponed a concert tour due to what the singer called "health challenges." Her sister Frieda Parton later made a public appeal to the singer's fans for them to pray for her sister.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump reacts to Dolly Parton's death, orders US flags lowered
