By
Margaret Hartmann,
senior editor for Intelligencer who has worked at New York since 2012
Shortly after the world learned that Dolly Parton, the beloved country-music star and philanthropist, had died at age 80, President Trump did something very odd for him: He posted a totally appropriate tribute on Truth Social, ordering flags lowered to half-staff:
This was a relief — yet also kind of unnerving. When a notable figure dies, Trump’s response ranges from narcissistic to absolutely appalling. “There has never been anyone like her, and never will” just doesn’t compute. Was there some hidden snub? Did Trump actually write this? Is he unwell, or rather, more unwell than usual?
