Dolly Parton's blunt reaction to Trump revealed as he claims she 'really liked' him
Dolly Parton's blunt reaction to Trump revealed as he claims she 'really liked' him
Samantha Masters Sun, August 30, 2026 at 1:37 PM UTC
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Dolly Parton didn't like discussing politics -Credit:GETTY
Dolly Parton fans were left heartbroken earlier this week following her death at the age of 80. The devastating news emerged after she fought a brief battle with cancer, as later confirmed by her team.
Beloved for her music, authenticity and wit, the iconic singer was also known for her candid nature in interviews, yet largely steered clear of political commentary. In a rare exception back in 2016, however, Dolly weighed in on Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, though her remarks drew some criticism from fans.
“Hillary might make as good a president as anybody ever has,” she told The New York Times. “I think no matter if it’s Hillary or Donald Trump, we’re gonna be plagued with PMS either way - presidential mood swings. But I personally think a woman would do a great job. I think Hillary’s very qualified. So if she gets it, I’ll certainly be behind her.” This was one of the very few times she mentioned politics, in fear she'd upset fans. Unlike her beloved sister Stella Parton, who savaged Trump as a 'pimple' just days before Dolly's death.
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After being accused of endorsing Hillary, she followed up with a lighthearted statement, quipping: “I might as well run myself… they could always use more boobs in the race.”
Trump claimed that the late country singer actually 'really liked' him -Credit:Getty
Opening up about her decision to stay out of politics, the Jolene hitmaker told Fox News: "I’ve got as many Republican fans as Democrats and I don’t want to make any of them mad at me, so I don’t play politics."
She also declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom on three separate occasions, turning down the honor under two different presidents - Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Looking back on three interviews with Dolly throughout her career, The Times journalist Hadley Freeman said she witnessed the country icon’s firm side just once -when the topic of Trump came up.
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She recalled: “The only time I experienced her steeliness for myself was when she mentioned in 2019 that ‘in every man I see someone in my family.’ I - unfairly - asked if she could see her brothers in Trump. ‘I ain’t talking about Trump!’ she replied sharply.
“Parton understood, even as others forgot, that we don’t need our celebrities to be political, to reveal their biases and preferences and their hot takes on every single news event,” she recalled.
The US president was among numerous public figures who honored Dolly after her death. Trump directed flags to be flown at half-staff as a tribute to the artist and posted on Truth Social: “This is a true loss for millions of people. 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 6:00p.m.”
Tributes flooded in for Dolly Parton after her death was announced aged 80 -Credit:GETTY
During a conversation with Glenn Beck the day following the announcement of her death, Trump also suggested that Dolly “really liked” him.
“I knew her a little bit, she wasn’t a very political person,” he said. “She really liked me, I will tell you,” he continued, maintaining that she kept this private to avoid alienating portions of her fan base.
“She was of the opinion, the 50 per cent, who needs to lose?” he added. “I don’t think it’s 50, I think it’s probably 20 percent of the fans, OK, not 50. But she was a great person, just a nice person. I liked her a lot.”
Former US President Joe Biden also paid tribute, stating: “Simply put, Dolly Parton was an American original. She was an inspiration to millions.”
He went on to describe the music icon as “a relentless advocate” for women and equality, while praising her charitable efforts providing books to children worldwide. “She lived her values with a flair and vitality for life that was uniquely her own,” Joe added.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
