Dolly Parton US flag tribute will last longer than after death of Pope Francis
US flags will fly at half-staff for Dolly Parton for longer than they did following the deaths of other notable public figures including Pope Francis, Charlie Kirk, and senator Lindsey Graham.
US flags will fly at half-staff for Dolly Parton for longer than they did following the deaths of other notable public figures including Pope Francis.
The country music legend passed away on Tuesday (25.08.26) at the age of 80 and shortly after the news was made public, President Donald Trump announced the rare honour.
Flags nationwide were lowered following her death and the White House has since confirmed they will remain at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, 1 September.
Trump declared the Jolene singer's passing to be “a true loss for millions of people.”
He added on his Truth Social platform: “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 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you."
When Pope Francis died on 21 April last year, Trump announced flags would be at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment, and he was laid to rest on 26 April.
The president also made the proclamation following the killing of right-wing personality Charlie Kirk in September 2025, with the flags lowered for four days.
And he followed specific guidelines after the unexpected death of Republican senator Lindsey Graham last month. The politician passed away on 11 July, and the flags were flown at half-staff from 13 to 18 July.
Dolly never publicly disclosed her political believes but twice declined offers of the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Trump’s first term and once when Joe Biden was in office.
She took a photo with President Jimmy Carter in 1979 and visited George W. Bush's White House in 2006 as a Kennedy Center honouree.
The Jolene singer previously insisted she had to be "careful" about sharing her political views because she didn't want them to be used as a "weapon".
She told People magazine: “I know whatever I say, people are going to listen, and they’re going to make more of it than maybe what I meant. So I have to be careful.
“Of course I have my opinion, but I’m not an opinionated person as a rule. You’re allowed your own beliefs and your own faith, but you don’t have to use it like a weapon when it could be a tool.”
