On X and in real life, most of America is still reeling from the loss of beloved musical and cultural icon Dolly Parton yesterday. Ever since news of her death broke, tributes, fond remembrances, and other tales of how Parton touched all our lives have been trending all over the platform.
And why wouldn't they? Everyone loved and continues to love Parton.
Meanwhile, over at CNN, they took the opportunity of the passing of America's sweetheart emeritus to, once again, stomp on a gigantic rake.
In reporting about Parton's life and death, who did they throw up on the screen? A Dolly impersonator.
CNN forced to apologize to Dolly Parton's family for using photo of Vegas impersonator in covering icon's death https://t.co/L6M20jULjY pic.twitter.com/QwYd0ulhCC
— New York Post (@nypost) August 27, 2026
Sigh.
THIS is CNN.
The New York Post had more details:
CNN was forced to apologize to Dolly Parton’s family for mistakenly using a photo of a Las Vegas impersonator of the country music legend while reporting on her death.
The cable news network aired an image of tribute artist Kelly Vohnn as it covered Parton’s Tuesday death from cancer — leaving the 58-year-old Vohnn stunned as friends began bombarding her with messages.
“We regret the error and apologize to the Parton family,” CNN told The Post in a brief Thursday statement.
Wow. What a sincere, heartfelt apology. That oughta do it.
And they wonder why everyone laughs at them.
Vohnn, who has also impersonated country star Reba McEntire, noted that "someone at CNN really screwed up."
Yeah, ya think?
Great job CNN. A professional news organization. 🙄 https://t.co/FIlkYYuVj6
— Mondaymonday2 (@Mondaymondtwo) August 27, 2026
We apologize to our readers for erroneously including a tweet suggesting (even sarcastically) that CNN is a legitimate media outlet.
— Sean Spicier - Former Tango Dancer (Parody) (@sean_spicier) August 27, 2026
We're sure the late James Earl Jones regrets ever lending his voice to the network.
I didn’t think my point of CNN could sink any lower.
— Shooting News Weekly (@SN_Weekly_) August 27, 2026
I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/lCjSqOnYpa
NEVER assume they've hit rock bottom.
They will always be able to sink lower.
.@CNN is a clown show. Period. 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/k2WgZT4GqH
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) August 27, 2026
It just exemplifies CNN's tradition of having an adversarial relationship with facts and the truth.
My God they can't do anything right https://t.co/bBI1BbPMoT
— 🍹 Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock (@kimmie_c_) August 27, 2026
At least they apologized (albeit pathetically and insincerely) for this awful mistake.
We're still waiting for their apology for getting everything wrong about January 6, Russiagate, COVID, and Tony Fauci (just to name a few).
I'm sure their reporting on Gaza is totally accurate… https://t.co/4oWRxVkn3P
— Eve Barlow (@Eve_Barlow) August 27, 2026
Oops. We forgot to include that one.
Might as well add Iran in there too, seeing as how most 'journalists' at CNN seem to be rooting for them.
This is CNN 🤡👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/QaXs94wZsT
— bbowden18 (@Bluestown901) August 27, 2026
They have a very bad habit of mislabeling photos.
To be Fair, @CNN has an entire staff of journalism impersonators! https://t.co/Z9BtJbO7YU
— Tony Bruno Show (@TonyBrunoShow) August 27, 2026
HA!
Welp. We can't argue that point.
CNN seriously needs a new editorial team... https://t.co/IW0mAf44jc
— L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) August 27, 2026
CNN needs a new EVERYTHING.
Message to CNN
— SuperUnhingedLizard (@unhingedlizardX) August 27, 2026
Proving it more true every day pic.twitter.com/Bq87blsqFI
The only saving grace in the utter embarrassment and unprofessionalism is that Parton herself likely would have gotten a kick out of it.
I feel like Dolly would've LOOOOOVED this and had a wicked smart quip about it. https://t.co/XB5FQfQEaJ
— NickFrank40 (@NickyFrank30) August 27, 2026
We can just hear her saying something about being a diamond in a rhinestone world.
But it still doesn't excuse CNN from being absolutely the WORST at its job.
How much more CNN can this get?
— alexandriabrown (@alexthechick) August 27, 2026
No much more. https://t.co/NqZ5F1wCLv
We hesitate to say that this is peak CNN because, knowing them, they'll probably use a picture of an Indian restaurant menu to report the loss of another icon yesterday, actor Tim Curry.
Either that, or they'll put up this picture:

Don't laugh. Knowing CNN, they just might do it.
============================================
Related:
Chris Murphy Finally Remembers the State He's Supposed to Represent (Just Not the Constituents)
Sean Parnell Makes a Pledge to Gold Star Families on the Fifth Anniversary of Abbey Gate
DEM-Olition Man: Philly DA Larry Krasner Wants to Blow Up the White House Ballroom (No, Really)
Did Tim Walz Just Encourage President Trump to Invade Canada, or Is He Just That Dumb?
'Repeat the Line': Stepford Governor Gavin Newsom Has One Memorized Phrase He's Recited for YEARS
Editor's Note: Do you enjoy Twitchy's conservative reporting exposing the radical left and woke media? Support our work so we can keep bringing you the truth.
Join Twitchy VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.








Join the conversation as a VIP Member