First Lady Melania Trump has stepped forward to champion online safety through her support of the bipartisan "Take It Down Act," which aims to combat the rise of non-consensual intimate imagery and AI-generated deepfakes. This legislation seeks to protect individuals, particularly young women, from the threats posed by such malicious online content.
At a roundtable held on Monday, March 3, 2025, Trump expressed her strong endorsement of the bill, stating, "I urge Congress to prioritize the passage of the 'Take It Down' bill. This legislation is ess ential to addressing the growing concerns related to online safety, protecting individual rights, and promoting a healthier digital environment." The roundtable featured not only congressional leaders but also survivors of child sexual abuse material, marking the first lady's notable advocacy for legislative action.
The "Take It Down Act" is particularly significant as it targets revenge porn and deepfake content, requiring tech and social media platforms to remove such material within 48 hours once notified by the victim. If enacted, the law would make it illegal to knowingly publish or threaten to publish intimate imagery online without the subject's consent, with potential penalties reaching up to three years of imprisonment for serious violations, especially those involving minors.
This initiative has gained bipartisan support, with Sen. Ted Cruz (Republican, Texas) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, Minnesota) leading the charge during the bill's successful passage through the Senate last month. Cruz highlighted the inspiration behind the measure, citing the experience of Elliston Berry, who suffered from the lasting consequences of AI-generated images being distributed without her consent. Berry, who was 14 at the time of the incident, noted, "Fear, shock, and disgust were just some of the many emotions I felt," pointing to the need for stronger protections against similar occurrences.
While the bill has enthusiastic advocates, including online safety activists and victims sharing their stories, there are concerns about its lack of sufficient guardrails. Digital privacy advocates fear the legislation could inadvertently threaten user privacy and freedom of expression. A coalition of privacy organizations recently warned about the proposed notice-and-takedown mechanism, which they argue might lead to the removal of legitimate content, undermining free speech protections.
Aside from her legislative endeavors, Melania Trump also utilized this occasion to highlight her previous initiative, the "Be Best" campaign, which concentrated on promoting youth well-being and addressing cyberbullying. Her re-emergence with this legislative push signals her commitment to using her platform for positive change.
The former first lady invited two young women as special guests for her husband's address to Congress on March 4, 2025. Elliston Berry shared her painful experience of becoming a victim of malicious deepfake pornography, demonstrating just how dire the situation can be for many young individuals. Meanwhile, Haley Ferguson, the other guest, is recognized for her resilience as a former fostering child and scholarship recipient from the "Be Best" initiative.
Ferguson, now studying elementary education, embodies the kind of objectives Trump aims to support through her various campaigns. "Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themselves freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm," said Trump as she continued her advocacy for the youth and vulnerable populations.
The legislation has important national relevance as nearly all states, except for South Carolina, have enacted laws targeting revenge porn, yet the effectiveness of these laws can vary significantly. High-profile court cases continue to emerge, with notable instances such as the $1.2 billion awarded to a Texas woman whose ex-boyfriend shared her intimate photos, highlighting the need for consistent legal protections.
Melania Trump’s engagement with this issue marks her most significant political engagement since resuming her role as the first lady, and her push for the "Take It Down Act" emphasizes urgent collective efforts to modernize laws against digital abuse. With her bipartisan approach, she symbolizes the potential for uniting across political lines to protect against the harms of technology.
Despite legislative progress, many take the outcome with caution as discussions around privacy and freedom of expression continue to heat up. Advocates are optimistic about the potential of the legislation but remain vigilant to any threats it may pose to civil liberties.
Moving forward, Trump’s pivotal role could influence not only the legislative outcome of the "Take It Down Act" but also the broader conversation on online safety and technology misuse. The upcoming weeks will be decisive as the bill moves to the House of Representatives, where leaders have indicated their intent to make swift progress, ensuring much-needed protections for those affected by these increasingly common forms of online abuse.