Melania Trump Backs New Legislation to Shield Kids Online

First Lady Melania Trump confronts Democrats’ absence at a crucial roundtable on protecting America’s children from online exploitation and AI-generated pornography.

Key Takeaways

Melania Trump is advocating for the “Take It Down Act,” which would make sharing intimate images without consent a federal crime and require platforms to remove such content within 48 hours.
The bipartisan bill has passed the Senate with sponsors Ted Cruz (R) and Amy Klobuchar (D) but still needs approval in the Republican-controlled House.
The First Lady expressed disappointment at the lack of Democratic lawmakers present at the roundtable, urging Congress to prioritize children’s safety over partisan politics.
The legislation specifically targets AI-generated deepfakes and was inspired by a real case involving a non-consensual AI image shared on Snapchat.
Major tech companies including Meta (parent of Facebook and Instagram) have expressed support for the legislation.

Melania Champions Federal Protection Against Digital Exploitation

First Lady Melania Trump made her first solo public appearance since returning to the White House to advocate for the “Take It Down Act,” legislation aimed at protecting Americans, especially children, from non-consensual sharing of intimate images online. The bill would criminalize posting intimate imagery without consent on a federal level and mandate that social media platforms remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s request. Similar protections already exist in Florida, where sharing non-consensual pornography can result in up to five years imprisonment.

The First Lady’s appearance on Capitol Hill marks a continuation of her long-standing commitment to protecting children online, previously demonstrated through her “Be Best” initiative during her husband’s first administration. The bipartisan legislation has already passed in the Senate, led by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, and now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives. Melania’s high-profile support could significantly influence its passage in the Republican-controlled chamber.

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

Democrats’ Absence Draws First Lady’s Criticism

During the Capitol Hill roundtable, Melania Trump publicly expressed disappointment at the lack of Democratic lawmakers present to discuss the important issue. “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,” stated the First Lady, emphasizing the need for unity when protecting vulnerable young Americans. The First Lady went on to say, “I’m here with you today with a common goal, to protect our youth from online harm. 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.”

Despite the apparent partisan divide in attendance, the bill itself has garnered bipartisan sponsorship in the Senate, demonstrating that child protection online is an issue that can transcend typical political boundaries. The legislation particularly addresses the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes, which can create realistic but fabricated intimate images of individuals without their knowledge or consent, presenting an entirely new frontier of digital abuse.

Addressing Real Cases of Digital Exploitation

The “Take It Down Act” was inspired by a troubling real-world case involving a non-consensual AI-generated image shared on Snapchat. Senator Ted Cruz, a key sponsor of the bill, emphasized the serious nature of such violations, stating, “No one should have to experience the pain, humiliation, and trauma that so many Americans have at the hands of AI deepfakes.” This legislation aims to provide concrete protections and recourse for victims of such digital exploitation, which disproportionately affects teenage girls.

Major technology companies have already voiced support for the legislation. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, issued a statement through spokesperson Andy Stone, “Having an intimate image real or AI-generated shared without consent can be devastating and Meta developed and backs many efforts to help prevent it.” Legal experts like attorney Spencer Kuvin have noted that for the bill to withstand federal scrutiny, it will need to demonstrate impact on interstate commerce, a common basis for federal legislation in areas traditionally governed by state law.

Next Steps for the Legislation

With the bill having already cleared the Senate, attention now turns to the House of Representatives, where Republican control could potentially expedite passage with the First Lady’s vocal support. While the legislation’s core protections have broad appeal across party lines, the mechanics of implementation and enforcement will likely face additional scrutiny before becoming law. The First Lady urged Congress to prioritize this legislation, framing it as an essential protection for digital rights in an era when online interactions are increasingly central to daily life.

The First Lady’s advocacy represents her most significant policy initiative since returning to the White House, and demonstrates continuity with her previous focus on children’s welfare and online safety. As AI technology continues to advance, creating more sophisticated and potentially harmful content, advocates argue that federal protections are increasingly urgent to establish guardrails in a rapidly evolving digital landscape where state laws alone may prove insufficient.