Dolly Parton Dies at 80, Trump Orders Flags Lowered

Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at age 80, her publicist confirmed Tuesday. President Trump ordered American flags lowered to half-staff for a week in her honor, underscoring her stature as a beloved cultural figure. Though a devout Christian, Parton had long-noted ties to Jewish audiences and causes. In 1994 she publicly apologized after remarks were criticized as invoking an antisemitic stereotype about Hollywood, a moment often cited by those tracking her public statements. She was also recognized for her familiarity with the Hebrew Bible, and her Imagination Library literacy program helped inspire similar childhood-reading initiatives in Israel. Parton sold more than 100 million records over a career that made her one of the best-selling music artists in history, leaving behind a legacy that transcended genre and faith lines.