First Lady Melania Trump urges swift passage of the Take It Down Act to combat online exploitation, while expressing disappointment at the absence of Democratic lawmakers during a Capitol Hill roundtable.
At a Glance
- Melania Trump advocates for bipartisan “Take It Down Act” to protect individuals from non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes
- The bill would make sharing intimate images without consent a federal crime and require platforms to remove content within 48 hours
- The legislation has passed the Senate with support from Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar but awaits House action
- Trump criticized Democratic representatives for not attending the roundtable discussion despite the bill’s bipartisan nature
- Major tech companies including Meta support the legislation, which was inspired by a case involving AI-generated images on Snapchat
First Lady Champions Online Protection Legislation
First Lady Melania Trump made a rare solo appearance on Capitol Hill to advocate for the Take It Down Act, a bipartisan bill designed to combat the sharing of non-consensual intimate images online. The legislation, which has already passed the Senate, would make it a federal crime to post intimate imagery without consent and require social media platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s request. During a roundtable discussion with lawmakers and advocates, the First Lady emphasized the particular vulnerability of teenagers, especially girls, to this form of digital exploitation.
“The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families, and communities. This toxic environment can be severely damaging. We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape,” Melania Trump said.
"I am here with you today with a common goal — to protect our youth from online harm," Melania Trump said Monday. "The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families and communities."
"Addressing this issue is… pic.twitter.com/6gUZuQlv3C
— Merissa Hansen (@merissahansen17) March 3, 2025
Bipartisan Support Amid Partisan Absence
The Take It Down Act has garnered significant bipartisan backing in the Senate, co-sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. However, during the roundtable, Melania Trump expressed disappointment at the absence of Democratic representatives. This marked her first solo public appearance since resuming her role as First Lady on January 20, highlighting the priority she places on online safety issues—a continuation of her “Be Best” initiative from the previous Trump administration.
“I was heartened to learn that Sen. Cruz and Sen. Klobuchar united to prioritize this fundamental matter. I must admit, however, I expected to see more Democrat leaders with us here today to address this serious issue. Surely, as adults, we can prioritize America’s children ahead of partisan politics,” Melania Trump said.
Senator Cruz also emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating: “No one should have to experience the pain, humiliation, and trauma that so many Americans have at the hands of AI deepfakes,” Senator Ted Cruz told attendees at the roundtable.
Protecting Victims in the Digital Age
The Take It Down Act was inspired by a troubling case involving an AI-generated image shared on Snapchat without consent. While several states, including Florida, have enacted similar protections against non-consensual pornography with penalties of up to five years in prison, federal legislation would provide nationwide protections. Attorney Spencer Kuvin, who was present at the roundtable, highlighted potential challenges for federal legislation, noting: “The only way this could be a federal issue is if it affects commerce between the states,” Spencer Kuvin said.
“Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themself freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm,” Melania Trump said.
The legislation has received support from major technology companies, including Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. “Having an intimate image — real or AI-generated — shared without consent can be devastating and Meta developed and backs many efforts to help prevent it,” Andy Stone, a spokesperson for Meta, said.
As the bill awaits consideration in the Republican-controlled House, the First Lady’s advocacy could prove influential in securing its passage, ultimately creating stronger protections for Americans vulnerable to this increasingly prevalent form of digital exploitation. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies, experts warn that without federal protections, victims will continue to face devastating personal and professional consequences from non-consensual image sharing.
