Dolly Parton has turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice

nme.com:

Dolly Parton has revealed that she has turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice in recent years.The country star and philanthropist has been mooted for the award, which is the US’ highest civilian honour, for many years, with Barack Obama recently saying that Parton “deserves” the Medal of Freedom.Speaking on the Today show this week, Parton confirmed that former US President Donald Trump‘s administration offered her the Medal of Freedom twice.“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,” Parton explained.“Now I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics – so I’m not sure,” she added, while also confirming that she’s already been contacted.