Melania Trump Backs New Initiative to Tackle Digital Image Privacy Issues

First Lady Melania Trump is championing the Take It Down Act to combat the growing threat of non-consensual intimate images online, while criticizing Democrats for their absence at a Capitol Hill roundtable on this crucial bipartisan legislation.

Key Takeaways

The Take It Down Act would make it a federal crime to post intimate images without consent and require tech platforms to remove such content within 48 hours.
The bill has bipartisan Senate support from Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar but awaits House action.
First Lady Melania Trump expressed disappointment that more Democratic leaders did not attend the roundtable discussion.
The legislation addresses both traditional non-consensual imagery and AI-generated “deepfakes” that can target minors.
Major tech companies like Meta (Facebook, Instagram) have voiced support for the legislation.

Melania Takes Strong Stand for Online Safety

First Lady Melania Trump made her first solo public appearance since resuming her role in January to advocate for the Take It Down Act during a Capitol Hill roundtable. The legislation aims to criminalize the sharing of intimate images without consent at the federal level while holding tech platforms accountable for removing harmful content. The bipartisan bill has already passed in the Senate but still awaits action in the Republican-controlled House, where the First Lady’s support could prove influential.

During the roundtable, Melania emphasized the significant harm that non-consensual imagery causes, particularly to teenagers and young women. The legislation would require social media companies to remove such content within 48 hours of receiving a victim’s request, addressing both traditional non-consensual imagery and the growing threat of AI-generated “deepfakes.” The First Lady’s advocacy builds upon her previous “Be Best” initiative, which focused heavily on online safety for children.

Melania's day at the Capital – supporting a bill to protect women from deepfake explicit images 🖤 pic.twitter.com/X8vUoxSFLv

— Keeping Up With The Trumps (@KUWTTRUMPS) March 3, 2025

Bipartisan Support with Notable Democratic Absence

While the Take It Down Act enjoys bipartisan sponsorship in the Senate from Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Amy Klobuchar, the First Lady pointedly criticized the lack of Democratic representation at the roundtable. Melania expressed disappointment that more Democratic leaders were not present to address what she described as a fundamental issue that should transcend party lines stating, “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.”

Senator Ted Cruz, who co-sponsors the bill, emphasized the traumatic impact of non-consensual imagery, stating, “No one should have to experience the pain, humiliation, and trauma that so many Americans have at the hands of AI deepfakes.” The bill’s inspiration came from a real-world case involving nonconsensual AI-generated imagery on Snapchat, highlighting the urgency of addressing this growing technological threat.

Tech Industry Support and Implementation

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has publicly endorsed the Take It Down Act. Andy Stone, a Meta representative, acknowledged the devastating impact of non-consensual intimate images, whether real or AI-generated. In Florida, similar protections already exist at the state level, with perpetrators facing up to five years in prison for non-consensual pornography, demonstrating the emerging legal consensus around these protections.

Legal experts note that the bill’s success in federal court may depend on its connection to interstate commerce, which provides the constitutional basis for federal jurisdiction. Attorney Spencer Kuvin explained, “The only way this could be a federal issue is if it affects commerce between the states.” With major tech platforms operating across state lines, this requirement appears satisfied, though legal challenges could still emerge if the bill becomes law.