Dolly Parton’s death: Donald Trump orders US flags to be lowered for a week to honour star
Dolly Parton died aged 80 on Tuesday 25 August 2026 (Image: Redferns via Getty Images)
Donald Trump has ordered US flags to be lowered for a week in honour of Dolly Parton, as tributes to the late star also highlighted her long-standing support for LGBTQ+ rights. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the one-week period would begin at 6:00PM on Tuesday.
Parton died aged 80. Her death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver in an Instagram video posted on Tuesday afternoon. In the prerecorded message, Seaver said: “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago.”
Trump wrote: “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away.” He added: “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.” Trump also said: “In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM.”
Tributes highlight LGBTQ+ advocacy
Among the political tributes, US senator Bernie Sanders explicitly referenced Parton’s LGBTQ+ advocacy, writing: “She was not only a talented musician & songwriter, but a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief”.
Dolly Parton’s legacy
Parton was known for hits including “9 to 5,” “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” and she was widely embraced as a queer icon for her camp glamour, humour, and consistent public messages of acceptance. Her record of allyship was celebrated in nine times she proudly came out for LGBTQ+ rights.
She founded the Imagination Library in 1995, a literacy initiative that began by giving 1,700 free books to children in its first month and later marked its 100 millionth book donation in 2018. Trump ended his post by writing: “Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
