Trump proves critics right with latest comments on Dolly Parton’s death

It took less than 24 hours for the conversation to shift.

After issuing a glowing tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton on his Truth Social page on Tuesday, Donald Trump pivoted to making the icon’s death about himself during a Wednesday interview with commentator Glenn Beck.

Trump on Parton

Parton, who died at age 80 on Tuesday, was described by the president as someone who “really liked” him. Trump suggested to Beck that Parton was a non-political figure who intentionally avoided picking sides to protect her career.

“She was of the opinion, ‘who needs to lose 50%’,” Trump said of the singer, though he added that he personally believes the number of fans at risk of alienation is closer to 20%. He framed his decision to lower the flags as a natural move for a woman he considered a “great person.”

Criticism Erupts

The remarks triggered a wave of backlash from critics who felt the president was unable to pay respects without refocusing the narrative on his own political standing. Justin Kanew, founder of The Tennessee Holler, posted that the president is “literally incapable of not making every single thing about himself.”

Others were equally vocal. Dean Blundell added that “it’s always about him,” while journalist Sophia A. Nelson simply exclaimed, “Oh good grief!”

Conspiracy theorist expert Mike Rothschild, who had predicted on Tuesday that the president would offer “awful and self-serving nonsense” regarding the singer’s passing, later noted that the outcome was “as easy to predict as thunder and lightning.”

Context on Honors

In the wake of the interview, some social media users highlighted instances where Parton declined the Medal of Freedom from the Trump administration. However, it is documented that Parton cited the health of her husband and the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic as the reasons for turning down the honors, rather than the political alignment of the president offering them.