Trump orders US flags lowered nationwide for one week to honour Dolly Parton

Trump orders US flags lowered nationwide for one week to honour Dolly Parton

US President Donald Trump has ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff across the United States for one week in honour of country music icon Dolly Parton, following her death at the age of 80.

Trump announced the directive on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, shortly after news of Parton’s death was made public. He said the US flags would be lowered from 6 p.m. Tuesday and remain at half-staff for one week as a mark of respect for the legendary singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist.

“In her honour, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The US President described Dolly Parton as “one of the greatest Country singers” and said her death represented “a true loss for millions of people.”

“There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” Trump added.

The presidential order extends the flag-lowering beyond government buildings in the United States. American flags at military posts, naval stations and other federal facilities, as well as US diplomatic and military facilities overseas, are also covered by the directive.

Parton’s death was announced on Tuesday by her nephew, Bryan Seaver. The announcement said the music legend had died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones.

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Her death brought an immediate wave of tributes from across the entertainment industry and beyond, with fellow musicians, public figures and fans celebrating her extraordinary career and humanitarian contributions.

Parton became one of the most recognisable figures in country music, building a career that spanned more than six decades. She was known for globally popular songs such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”

Her influence extended beyond music. Parton enjoyed a successful career as an actress and businesswoman while also becoming widely respected for her philanthropic work.

One of her most notable initiatives was the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a childhood literacy programme that provides free books to children. The programme has distributed hundreds of millions of books and expanded its reach to communities in several countries.

Parton also contributed significantly to medical research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated $1 million to support research at Vanderbilt University that contributed to the development of the Moderna vaccine.

Her achievements earned her numerous honours, including 11 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Parton’s songs also became part of the wider American cultural landscape. “I Will Always Love You”, which she wrote and originally recorded, achieved renewed global success after Whitney Houston’s version featured in the 1992 film The Bodyguard.

Despite her enormous fame, Parton maintained a reputation for connecting with audiences across generations and political and cultural divides. Her work in entertainment, literacy, healthcare and community development helped establish a legacy that went well beyond her music.

Trump’s decision to lower the American flag for a private citizen represents an unusual federal tribute and underscores the scale of Parton’s cultural influence in the United States.

As tributes continue to pour in, Parton’s legacy is expected to endure through her music, films, business ventures and philanthropic initiatives, particularly programmes that continue to benefit children and communities around the world.

Trump orders US flags lowered nationwide for one week to honour Dolly Parton