In her first public address since the start of her husband’s second term, First Lady Melania Trump took the stage to champion the Take It Down Act, a proposed bill designed to protect young people from online exploitation and abuse. Speaking on Capitol Hill, Melania emphasized the urgent need to combat the rising threat of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) in the digital era.
“I’m here with you today with a common goal, to protect our youth from online harm,” she said at a forum on Capitol Hill on 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 essential for fostering a safe and supportive environment for our young people.”
The Take It Down Act, currently under congressional review, aims to hold social media platforms accountable for hosting manipulated and explicit content created without consent, including AI-generated deepfakes. Melania highlighted the case of 15-year-old Elliston Berry, who fell victim to non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) when malicious actors used artificial intelligence to superimpose her face onto pornographic images that rapidly spread across social media.
“It’s heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content like deepfakes,” she said. “We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape.”
The First Lady urged lawmakers to take bipartisan action, highlighting the collaboration between Republican Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in backing the bill. However, she also noted the lack of broader Democratic engagement in addressing the issue. “I must admit, however, I expected to see more Democrats to address this serious issue,” she said. “Surely as adults, we can prioritize America’s children ahead of partisan politics.”
“This legislation is essential for addressing the growing concerns related to online safety, protecting individual rights, and promoting a healthier digital environment,” Melania said. “By advocating for this bill, Congress can take an important step toward ensuring accountability and fostering responsible online behavior.”
If enacted, the Take It Down Act would make it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish non-consensual intimate images, including realistic AI-generated depictions. The legislation specifies that consent to create an image does not equate to consent for its public distribution.
A key provision of the act mandates that online platforms remove NCII within 48 hours of receiving a valid request from a victim. Platforms must also take reasonable steps to eliminate duplicate content, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) overseeing compliance. On February 13, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the bill, which now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives.
The legislation has garnered support from over 100 organizations, including major technology companies such as Microsoft, Snap, and Meta, alongside advocacy groups dedicated to combating sexual violence and exploitation. However, some civil liberties organizations, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), have raised concerns that the bill’s broad language could lead to government overreach and potential censorship.
