Melania Trump-Backed Bill Targets Revenge Porn with New Legal Measures
A legislative effort aimed at curbing the spread of revenge porn is progressing toward becoming law, with backing from former First Lady Melania Trump. This proposed bill, known as the TAKE IT DOWN Act, has received overwhelming support in the House of Representatives and is now heading to President Trump’s desk for approval.
The act, which stands for Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks, had more than 400 representatives voting in favor. Introduced by Senator Ted Cruz from Texas in January, the bill received Senate approval in February.
Melania Trump expressed her gratitude for the bipartisan support, stating, “Today’s bipartisan passage of the Take It Down Act is a powerful statement that we stand united in protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of our children. I am thankful to the Members of Congress — both in the House and Senate — who voted to protect the well-being of our youth.”
The legislation outlines that those found guilty of sharing “intimate visual depictions” without consent, including both real and computer-generated images of adults or minors, could face prison time, fines, or both. Additionally, online platforms would be required to provide a mechanism for individuals to request the removal of revenge porn content. These platforms would need to act within 48 hours of the request.
Senator Cruz highlighted the significance of the bill, stating on ABC News, “It protects young girls and young women, and it’s a huge bipartisan victory that we’re winning tonight.”
Melania Trump, who has previously led initiatives focused on children, launched the “BE BEST” campaign during President Trump’s first term. This initiative aimed to encourage children to “BE BEST in their individual paths” and emphasized the importance of social, emotional, and physical health. More details can be found on The White House website.
Her efforts have concentrated on “well-being, online safety, and opioid abuse,” as stated on the website. In addition to advocating for this bill, Melania Trump worked with a task force to address sexual abuse allegations in the Native American community, engaged with tech companies to discuss protections for young users, and supported expanding addiction treatment centers for mothers and their children.
Melania Trump commented on the new legislative measures and the “Be Best” initiative, stating, “Through this critical legislation and our continued focus with ‘Be Best,’ we are building a future where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.”
Cliff Owen/AP
