Donald Trump made a surprising claim about his relationship with Dolly Parton just one day after her death. The president revealed what he believes the country music icon secretly felt about him during a new interview.
Donald Trump claims Dolly Parton ‘liked’ him in new interview
Donald Trump claimed Dolly Parton “really liked me” during an interview with Glenn Beck on Wednesday. The president made these remarks one day after the country music icon’s death sent shockwaves worldwide. He also stated that her passing feels like losing “a member of the family.”
Trump acknowledged that Parton never expressed this sentiment publicly. “She was of the opinion, the 50%, who needs to lose?” he said about her reluctance. He then added, “I don’t think it’s 50, I think it’s probably 20% of the fans, OK, not 50.”
The president further described Parton warmly. “But she was a great person, just a nice person. I liked her a lot,” he stated. Trump also ordered flags to fly at half-staff for one week in her memory. This marks one of the longest mourning periods ever issued for a private citizen.
Parton had consistently refused to share her political views throughout her career. “I know whatever I say, people are going to listen,” she told People in 2021. She added, “I have my opinion, but I’m not an opinionated person as a rule.”
However, Parton did take stands on several key issues during her lifetime. She supported LGBTQ+ equality, children’s literacy, and vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also helped fund Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine development.
The Trump administration has taken opposing positions on several of these causes. Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic, to lead the health department. His administration also revoked nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in federal agencies.
Parton addressed LGBTQ+ rights directly in a 2016 CNN interview. “I think everybody should be treated with respect,” she said at the time. She also stated, “I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are.”
