House Passes Melania Trump Back Bill On Deepfakes
In a decisive bipartisan move, the GOP-led House passed the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act on Monday, marking a significant victory for First Lady Melania Trump’s online safety advocacy.
The legislation, designed to combat the devastating spread of non-consensual intimate imagery—including AI-generated deepfakes—garnered support from 207 Republicans and 202 Democrats, a rare show of unity in an otherwise deeply polarized political landscape.
The measure targets a growing menace: the online distribution of intimate photos and videos without consent, whether real or digitally forged. Once signed into law by President Donald Trump, the bill will prohibit the non-consensual publication of such material, imposing fines, prison time, and mandatory restitution for offenders.
Importantly, the law mandates that online platforms must remove flagged content within 48 hours, a requirement to be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.
The Senate had already unanimously approved the bill in February, thanks to the efforts of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who authored the legislation. In the critical weeks that followed, Melania Trump stepped forcefully into the spotlight, hosting a roundtable discussion that included Cruz, lawmakers, survivors, and online safety advocates. Her advocacy echoed a deep commitment to shielding young people, particularly girls, from the growing threat of online exploitation.
“This toxic environment can be severely damaging,” she warned during the event, emphasizing the urgent need for safeguards. “We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) applauded the First Lady’s leadership following the bill’s passage, stating, “Today, the House took a critical step to combat the growing online publication of real and deepfake nonconsensual intimate images… The First Lady’s leadership has been instrumental in the bill’s passage, and we look forward to seeing this signed into law.”
Melania Trump echoed the sentiment in a statement that tied the new legislation to her long-standing “Be Best” initiative. She called the passage a “powerful statement” that underscores America’s commitment to safeguarding children’s dignity, privacy, and safety in a digital world increasingly rife with dangers.
Only two members—Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Eric Burlison (R-MO)—voted against the measure. Massie, raising concerns about potential government overreach, cited a Washington Post critique suggesting that the bill’s broad language might be “ripe for abuse” and warned of unintended consequences.