Dolly Parton, philanthropist extraordinaire and one of the most popular country music singers in the nation has revealed the reasons why she turned down the offer of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The medal is highest honor that can be bestowed to a civilian, twice from former President Donald Trump.
She candidly revealed all the details that led to her turning down the offer and they are totally circumstantial and not controversial. On Monday, when she was interviewed on the Today show she said that it was just a matter of bad timing.
The “Jolene” singer said that she could not accept the medal from Trump the first time as her husband was ill. The second time around the singer said that she was unable to travel due to COVID when they asked her again.
She added that she would not take the medal from current President Joe Biden as it would look like she was “doing politics.” Former President Barack Obama had admitted last year that his administration had made a huge mistake by not awarding her the medal.
Many Americans and others believe that she deserves this honor. Her recent philanthropy, of donating $1 million to fund a COVID-19 vaccine, brought forth the suggestion of honoring her with a statue at the Tennessee state Capitol in Nashville.
She had also said that she didn’t work for awards, and though it would be nice, she wasn’t even sure she deserved it. She also said, it was a nice compliment that people thought she deserved it.
Host Hoda Kotb of the Today show said that everyone thinks that she might deserve it, as others do. She has been involved with philanthropic activities from a very long time.
