Trump signs bipartisan law criminalizing deepfake revenge porn
President Donald Trump has signed the Take It Down Act, a new federal law that targets online sexual exploitation, including AI-generated “deepfake” pornography. The bill received personal backing from First Lady Melania Trump, who actively lobbied for its passage in Congress. In a symbolic gesture, she also signed the bill during the White House Rose Garden ceremony.
The new legislation criminalizes the non-consensual publication or threat of publication of intimate images, including those created with artificial intelligence. Platforms and social media companies must remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s request and are required to eliminate duplicates.
Melania Trump praised the law as a “national victory,” highlighting its importance in shielding children from digital exploitation. She emphasized the dangers of AI and social media, likening them to “digital candy” that can be weaponized and emotionally damaging.
The law, introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, gained overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the House by a 409-2 vote and clearing the Senate unanimously. It marks a significant step at the federal level, complementing similar laws already enacted by individual states.
However, the legislation has faced criticism from free speech and digital rights advocates, who argue that it could lead to censorship of legitimate content and infringe on privacy. Some warn it may expand government surveillance and weaken due process protections.
Melania Trump's involvement in promoting the bill continues her Be Best campaign, which focuses on child welfare, social media responsibility, and opioid abuse. Her advocacy included participating in a Capitol Hill roundtable with victims and inviting one survivor to attend the president’s address to Congress.
President Trump acknowledged the rise of AI-fueled harassment and said the new law will help stop a “horribly wrong” practice. He added jokingly, “I’m going to use that bill for myself, too… Nobody gets treated worse than I do online.”
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