Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Melania Trump marked her first significant legislative achievement on Monday, joining President Donald Trump in signing the Take It Down Act into law. This legislation aims to bolster protections for victims of revenge porn and combat the spread of digitally altered sexual images, also known as deepfake pornography. The bipartisan support for the bill underscores its importance in safeguarding individuals, especially young people, from online exploitation.
First Lady Signs Take It Down Act Into Law
In an uncommon move, the First Lady added her signature to the bill during the official ceremony. Melania Trump had actively supported the legislation, advocating for enhanced protection for victims of revenge porn. She also engaged directly with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to push for its passage.
Melania Trump Champions Online Safety
Speaking at the Rose Garden signing event, Melania Trump hailed the legislation as a ‘national victory’ that will aid parents and families in shielding children from exploitation online.
‘This legislation is a crucial advancement in our endeavors to ensure that every American, particularly young individuals, can feel more secure against the abuse of their image or identity,’ she stated.
Addressing the Dangers of AI and Social Media
She characterized artificial intelligence and social media as ‘digital candy for the next generation,’ elaborating:
- ‘Sweet, addictive, and designed to impact the cognitive development of our children.’
- ‘However, unlike sugar, these new technologies can be weaponized, influence beliefs, and unfortunately, affect emotions and even turn deadly.’
Bipartisan Support and Acknowledgment
The First Lady celebrated the bipartisan nature of the legislation, which received backing from both Republicans and Democrats.
‘Thank you all for uniting to prioritize people over politics,’ she expressed.
President Trump Praises Melania’s Efforts
President Trump commended his wife’s dedication to the cause.
‘Honey, you’ve done amazing,’ he remarked, noting that upon learning about the legislation, ‘I said, it sounds like a tough one, and yet a very important one, and you got it done. So I congratulate you.’
He also mentioned a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day: ‘Putin just said they respect your wife a lot. I said, ‘What about me?’ They like Melania better.’
Victims of Revenge Porn Attend the Signing
In March, Melania Trump hosted women affected by revenge porn in her box at the president’s joint address before Congress. Two of these women, Francesca Mani and Elliston Berry, were present in the Rose Garden audience on Monday.
The President acknowledged Berry and Mani as he took Melania’s place at the podium.
He also recognized the bill’s sponsors, Republicans Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Maria Salazar, and lauded the bipartisan collaboration that led to its passage.
‘I’m not even sure you realize, honey, you know a lot of the Democrats and Republicans don’t get along,’ Trump told Melania.
Additional Attendees at the Ceremony
Other notable attendees at the Rose Garden event included Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
First Lady’s Continued Focus on Children’s Well-being
Melania Trump will continue her work on issues affecting children, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who praised her efforts on the bill.
‘The First Lady met with members in the House and the Senate survivors and their families throughout the process to get this bill across the finish line. We are grateful for the First Lady’s hard work and dedication to this issue, and moving forward, she will continue to champion the well-being of our nation’s children through her Be Best agenda,’ Leavitt noted.
The Take It Down Act: A Key Achievement
The First Lady relaunched her Be Best campaign, concentrating on child welfare, upon her return to the White House in January.
The Take It Down Act represents the first major triumph of her second term as First Lady.
This act aims to strengthen protections for victims of non-consensual sharing of sexual content, including deepfake porn, and mandates websites to make reasonable efforts to remove such images within 48 hours of receiving a complaint.
Melania Trump’s Advocacy on Capitol Hill
Melania Trump made a rare visit to Capitol Hill in March to lobby for the bill, joining Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, its sponsor, at a roundtable discussion to promote the legislation.
One of the victims present at that event later joined Melania Trump in her box during the President’s Joint Session of Congress.
Testimony from a Victim of Deepfake Porn
Berry, 15, testified about the dangers of deepfake porn.
She recounted being just 14 years old when a classmate used AI to alter a photo from social media, creating a nude image with her head attached.
‘I was 14 years old when I was violated all over social media,’ she stated.
‘I came here today to not only promote this bill but to fight for the many survivors. It is so inspiring to know that my voice is being heard, giving hope to not only me, to all the many people that have been affected by this. It is truly so amazing how this awful situation has turned to good,’ she added.