Trump orders flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of Dolly Parton

efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com


US President Donald Trump has ordered American flags across the country to be flown at half-staff for one week following the death of country music legend Dolly Parton.

Trump made the announcement on Tuesday, August 25, as tributes continued to pour in for Parton, who died in Nashville at the age of 80.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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. In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6 p.m. Rest in peace, Dolly! The world loves you. President Donald J. Trump.”

Parton’s death was announced by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on social media.

The Tennessee-born singer had a career spanning seven decades and became one of the most influential figures in country music, while also establishing herself as a songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman and philanthropist.

Although Parton generally stayed away from political controversies, she had previously disclosed that she turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice during Trump’s first administration.

Speaking to the Today show in 2021, Parton explained her decision, saying: “I couldn’t accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn’t travel because of the COVID,”

She added: “Now I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics, so I’m not sure.”

Parton devoted much of her career to charitable causes, including childhood literacy through her Imagination Library programme, which has distributed millions of books to…



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