'She Really Liked Me': Donald Trump's Dolly Parton Claim Draws Attention to Imagination Library Cuts

Donald Trump's claim that Dolly Parton 'really liked me' has coincided with a major funding cut to her Imagination Library in Missouri, where the state has stopped accepting new families into the free children's book programme after slashing its support from $6 million to $2 million.

Trump made the remark during an interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck after ordering US flags to be flown at half-staff in honour of Parton. While the president's tribute drew attention online, the more immediate concern for Missouri families is whether books will continue reaching children already enrolled in Parton's literacy initiative.

Missouri's funding for the programme fell from $6 million (about £4.4 million) in 2026 to $2 million (about £1.4 million) for 2027. The $4 million reduction (about £2.9 million) prompted the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to halt new applications in July.

Trump's Dolly Parton Claim

Trump described Parton as 'unique' and 'amazing', saying her death felt 'like you lose a member of the family'. 'I knew her a little bit. She wasn't a very political person. She really liked me, I will tell you,' he said in the interview.

He also said Parton had understood the risk of entertainers alienating supporters by taking political positions. 'The 50 per cent, who needs to lose? I don't think it's 50, I think it's probably 20 per cent of the fans, OK? Not 50,' Trump said.

Trump did not cite a public statement from Parton to support his account of their relationship or her views on the political risks faced by entertainers.

A video of the exchange circulated on X, where Beck could be heard laughing after Trump made the claim. The clip drew responses from users who discussed Parton's charitable work and public record.

Imagination Library Cuts in Missouri

The Imagination Library provides free, age-appropriate books to children before they start school, with books delivered monthly to families' homes. First Alert 4 reported that 161,361 Missouri children have been enrolled in the programme.

Courtney Sudkamp, a Missouri parent whose four- and six-year-old children receive the books, said their collection had helped them understand subjects including emotions and spending time away from parents.

'Every book has meant something'. Sudkamp said the deliveries gave children something to anticipate each month and helped make reading part of their routines.

She added that stopping the programme could disproportionately affect children whose families have fewer resources.

The Missouri education department said it would continue sending books to families who enrolled before 1 July for as long as the remaining money lasts. Once that funding has been used, it said it would be unable to send additional books without further financial support.

Why Dolly Parton's Literacy Legacy Matters

The department said the Imagination Library organisation had contacted possible partners across Missouri to explore ongoing funding. It said the programme was seeking interest from organisations that could help maintain local access.

Parton visited Kansas City in August 2024 when Missouri became the first US state to fully fund the programme. At the event, she said early reading was important because children were especially impressionable when young.

The programme's uncertainty in Missouri contrasts with Arkansas, where more than 80,000 children receive books each month and more than seven million have been delivered since 2005. Fawn Kurtzo, director of the Newton County Library, said home deliveries can remove transport barriers for families in geographically isolated areas.

Trump did not discuss the Imagination Library funding during his interview, and the supplied reports do not connect him to Missouri's state budget decision. His comments have nonetheless coincided with wider public attention on whether Parton's literacy legacy can be maintained for families who rely on it.