An old interview featuring country music legend Dolly Parton is drawing attention, showing how the famously apolitical entertainer handled an attempt to pull her into a political fight over President Donald Trump.
The exchange dates back to 2018, when Parton sat down with ABC News and was pressed about Trump and controversial comments he had made before entering the White House. Rather than take the bait, Parton made it clear from the beginning that she had no interest in using her celebrity status to tell Americans what they should think politically.
“I just don’t get into that,” Parton said. “And so if you are deciding you may want to ask me something more serious, don’t, because I’m not going to answer it,” she said.
The interviewer nevertheless continued, bringing up Trump and comments captured on the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape that surfaced during the 2016 presidential campaign.
“You have a president of the United States who said those things on that bus,” the interviewer said.
Parton refused to budge.
“I’m not addressing that. I do not get into that,” she responded. “Of course, I have my opinion about everybody and everything. But I learned a long time ago, keep your damn mouth shut if you want to stay in show business.”
The remark summed up an approach that became increasingly uncommon as celebrities and entertainers waded deeper into partisan politics during the Trump era.
WATCH:
This is what happened in 2018 when ABC tried to goad Dolly Parton into attacking Trump
Every celebrity should take note: pic.twitter.com/YaEZw39PPh
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 26, 2026
Parton made clear that her reluctance to discuss Trump was not because she lacked personal opinions. Instead, she viewed politics as outside her role as a performer and resisted pressure to turn an entertainment interview into a political endorsement or denunciation.
“I’m not in politics. I’m an entertainer,” Parton said.
ABC then pushed back by noting that Parton was also a role model, seemingly giving the singer another opportunity to weigh in on Trump.
“And yet you’re also a role model,” the interviewer said.
“Yes, I am,” Parton replied. “That’s why I don’t talk about people.”
The exchange was consistent with the public image Parton cultivated over decades in the spotlight. While entertainers routinely risk alienating large portions of their audiences by jumping into political disputes, Parton largely avoided attaching herself to one political camp.
Her approach was especially notable considering the political climate of 2018. Trump was less than two years into his first term, and his presidency had become a constant subject for television programs, award shows, late-night comedy and celebrity interviews. Parton, however, wasn’t interested.
The resurfaced clip offers a contrast to the celebrity political culture that followed, where actors, musicians and athletes increasingly became fixtures in political campaigns and partisan debates. Parton’s response also contained a lesson that many entertainers have learned the hard way.
Parton died on August 25, at the age of 80, bringing an end to one of the most celebrated careers in country music history. The legendary singer-songwriter reportedly died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center following what her representatives described as a “brief battle” with cancer.
The specific type of cancer was not immediately disclosed. Parton had faced several health issues before her death and was hospitalized days earlier.
