Dolly Parton ‘Not Sure’ About Accepting Medal of Freedom From Biden, Might be Too Political

February 2nd, 2021 4:12 PM

In an era of political rage in America, Dolly Parton is still intent on keeping her political standpoints close to the chest. 

Despite all the headlines about the legendary country singer and actress deciding not to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Trump on two separate occasions (which she claims she has a good excuse for), Parton threw a bit of cold water on the idea of receiving the award from President Joe Biden. 

Popculture.com reported on an interview between Parton and Today hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager in which the Country Music Hall of Famer stated that she felt like accepting the Medal of Freedom from Biden after providing Trump’s folks an excuse for not taking it during his term would be “doing politics.”

Well at least that makes her less of a lightweight than other far-left celebrities who’d accept the award from Biden just to stick it to the former president. 

According to the outlet, Parton twice refused being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump during his term, though the icon did cite non-political reasons for both instances. “I couldn't accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn't travel because of the COVID.” 

Well perhaps that makes sense. Not many COVID fearful people would get into a crowded airplane these days. And Parton’s subsequent apprehension about getting the award from Biden seems to make it clear she’s not choosing sides.  

Even if it would be more convenient for the “Islands in The Stream” singer to receive the honor now -- and she admitted she has been asked by the new administration -- she wouldn’t want anyone to think she’s playing political favorites, especially in the aftermath of such a hotly contested election. 

Parton stated, “Now I feel like if I take it, I'll be doing politics, so I'm not sure.” She also claimed that she didn’t feel as though she deserved that kind of accolade: “But I don't work for those awards. It'd be nice but I'm not sure that I even deserve it. But it's a nice compliment for people to think that I might deserve it.” Kotb responded, saying, “I think everyone thinks you might deserve it.”

 

 

Many fans would agree. In addition to Parton being one of the most iconic faces in country music history, her philanthropic work is remarkable as well. Most recently, the 9 to 5 actress donated a whopping $1 million to Vanderbilt University’s COVID research program, which led to the Moderna vaccine. That deserves quite a bit of praise. 

Recently, Former President Barack Obama expressed regret over not awarding her the medal during his term. In December 2020, Obama told late night host Stephen Colbert, “that's a mistake, I'm shocked.” He added, "That was a screw-up. I'm surprised,” and explained that he had "assumed that she had already got one, and that was incorrect." The former president told Colbert he’d ask Biden to rectify the snub.