Donald Trump claimed Dolly Parton “really liked” him just hours after the country music legend’s death at 80.
During a phone interview on The Glenn Beck Program last week, Trump, 78, reflected on his relationship with the “Jolene” singer while discussing her legacy. The former president spoke about Parton shortly after news of her death emerged, recalling their limited interactions and describing her in personal terms that went beyond his earlier public tribute.
“We all knew her so well. I knew her a little bit,” Trump said on the program. “She wasn’t a very political person. She really liked me… she was a great person, she was a nice person. I liked her a lot.”
The remarks came after Trump had already issued a statement on Truth Social announcing Parton’s death and ordering American flags lowered to half-staff nationwide. In that earlier post, he struck a more formal tone focused on her musical achievements and national significance.
“Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He continued: “There has never been anyone like her, and there never will be.”
“In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one-week period beginning tonight at 6:00 PM,” Trump wrote. He concluded the message with a simple farewell: “Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
Parton’s death was announced by her nephew and head of security, Brian Seaver, who confirmed the news in a video announcement. The singer had built a career spanning music, film and business over several decades, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in American entertainment.
Throughout her decades-long career, Parton maintained a reputation for largely keeping herself outside party politics. She generally avoided becoming identified with any particular political movement, a stance that allowed her to appeal to audiences across the political spectrum. That approach meant politicians from different sides of the divide frequently sought to associate themselves with her popularity.
Parton’s catalog included enduring hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” which helped establish her as a cultural icon beyond country music. Her death prompted tributes from across the entertainment world and beyond, with Trump among those publicly mourning her passing.
In the viral moment that defined her political posture, Parton had famously declined to accept a Medal of Freedom from the Trump administration twice, later citing her husband’s illness and then the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons. She also turned down a similar offer from the Biden administration, explaining that she did not want to appear to be taking sides politically. The singer had previously said she did not want to be “political” and that accepting honors from any administration could be seen as making a political statement.
Trump’s decision to emphasize their personal rapport during his radio appearance stood out given Parton’s careful avoidance of political alignment throughout her life. The former president’s comments on The Glenn Beck Program added a more intimate dimension to his public response, one that went beyond the official tribute and flag order he had announced hours earlier.