President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for seven days in honor of Dolly Parton’s life, granting the American icon a longer national mourning period than several prominent figures who were close to the president, including the late Senator Lindsey Graham and conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Country music trailblazer Parton, whose songwriting, voice and larger‑than‑life persona shaped American culture for more than six decades, died at age 80, her nephew announced Tuesday in an Instagram video. Her death prompted tributes from across the political spectrum, the entertainment industry and beyond, reflecting a rare level of bipartisan admiration for an artist whose appeal transcended politics, geography and generations.
For decades, Parton was regarded as one of the country's most beloved entertainers, earning acclaim not only for her music but also for her philanthropy, business ventures and advocacy for literacy. In a Tuesday afternoon Truth Social post, Trump called Parton “one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER,” announcing her death as a “true loss for millions of people.” He added, “There has never been anyone like her, and never will.” He concluded the post, “In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. The World loves you.” Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on September 1.
Parton largely steered clear of partisan politics throughout her career. During Trump's first term, she was offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice, the nation's highest civilian honor, but did not receive it after citing scheduling conflicts and concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parton emphasized that her decisions were not political.
She said that her circumstances simply made it difficult to attend a White House ceremony. Flying the U.S. flag at half-staff is a traditional mark of mourning, respect, and remembrance following the death of a prominent public figure or after a national tragedy. While federal law establishes flag protocols for certain elected officials, presidents also have the authority to order flags lowered nationwide through a proclamation honoring certain individuals.
Such orders apply to federal buildings, military installations and U.S. facilities around the world. Most half-staff proclamations are measured in days, while the death of a current or former U.S. president typically results in a 30-day national mourning period. However, not all prominent public figures receive nationwide half-staff tributes.
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller's death did not prompt a presidential proclamation ordering flags to be lowered nationwide, with Trump saying in a Truth Social post at the time, "Good, I’m glad he’s dead." Earlier this summer, on July 11, Graham, a prominent South Carolina Republican and one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress who advocated for a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy, died. He had turned 71 just two days before his death. In a post on Truth Social two days after, Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until Saturday evening.
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