President Donald Trump are set to sign the Take It Down Act into law on Monday, a bipartisan measure spearheaded by First Lady Melania Trump to impose stricter penalties for distributing non-consensual intimate imagery, commonly known as “revenge porn,” including AI-generated “deepfakes.” The White House hosted a signing ceremony attended by the president and first lady, marking a significant step in federal regulation of online content.
What is 'Take It Down Act'
The legislation, sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish intimate images without consent. It mandates that websites and social media platforms remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s request and take steps to eliminate duplicates. The bill passed with overwhelming support, clearing the Senate by unanimous consent and the House in April with a 409-2 vote.
How Melania Trump championed the Bill
Melania Trump played a pivotal role in the bill’s passage, leveraging her Be Best campaign’s focus on children’s well-being and social media issues. In March, she made a rare public appearance on Capitol Hill, lobbying House members and hosting a roundtable with lawmakers and young women affected by non-consensual imagery. She described the experiences of victims, particularly teenage girls, as “heartbreaking.” The first lady also invited a victim to the president’s address to Congress in March, highlighting the issue’s urgency.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly praised Melania’s efforts, stating, “The first lady was instrumental in getting this important legislation passed.” After the House vote, Melania called the bipartisan support a “powerful statement” for protecting “the dignity, privacy, and safety of our children.”
President Trump joked he will use the Bill for himself too
President Trump, speaking to Congress in March, condemned the publication of such imagery as “just terrible” and expressed enthusiasm for signing the bill. He added a personal note, saying, “I’m going to use that bill for myself, too, if you don’t mind. There’s nobody who gets treated worse than I do online.”
While the law has been hailed as a victory for victims, it faces criticism from free speech advocates and digital rights groups. Critics argue the bill’s broad language could lead to censorship of legal content, including pornography and LGBTQ material, and raise concerns about government overreach into private communications and due process.
The Take It Down Act builds on state-level bans on revenge porn and deepfakes, marking a rare federal intervention in regulating internet platforms. It represents a continuation of Melania Trump’s advocacy for children’s safety online, a cornerstone of her public work during her husband’s first and second terms.
What is 'Take It Down Act'
The legislation, sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish intimate images without consent. It mandates that websites and social media platforms remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s request and take steps to eliminate duplicates. The bill passed with overwhelming support, clearing the Senate by unanimous consent and the House in April with a 409-2 vote.
How Melania Trump championed the Bill
Melania Trump played a pivotal role in the bill’s passage, leveraging her Be Best campaign’s focus on children’s well-being and social media issues. In March, she made a rare public appearance on Capitol Hill, lobbying House members and hosting a roundtable with lawmakers and young women affected by non-consensual imagery. She described the experiences of victims, particularly teenage girls, as “heartbreaking.” The first lady also invited a victim to the president’s address to Congress in March, highlighting the issue’s urgency.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly praised Melania’s efforts, stating, “The first lady was instrumental in getting this important legislation passed.” After the House vote, Melania called the bipartisan support a “powerful statement” for protecting “the dignity, privacy, and safety of our children.”
President Trump joked he will use the Bill for himself too
President Trump, speaking to Congress in March, condemned the publication of such imagery as “just terrible” and expressed enthusiasm for signing the bill. He added a personal note, saying, “I’m going to use that bill for myself, too, if you don’t mind. There’s nobody who gets treated worse than I do online.”
While the law has been hailed as a victory for victims, it faces criticism from free speech advocates and digital rights groups. Critics argue the bill’s broad language could lead to censorship of legal content, including pornography and LGBTQ material, and raise concerns about government overreach into private communications and due process.
The Take It Down Act builds on state-level bans on revenge porn and deepfakes, marking a rare federal intervention in regulating internet platforms. It represents a continuation of Melania Trump’s advocacy for children’s safety online, a cornerstone of her public work during her husband’s first and second terms.
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