Staff Reports
First Lady Melania Trump is embarking on a mission more noble than a knight rescuing a damsel in distress; she’s taking her talents from the glamorous halls of the White House to the somewhat less glamorous halls of Capitol Hill. Her mission? Lobbying Congress to pass the Take It Down Act, a bill aimed squarely at combating revenge pornography and those pesky deepfakes that make the internet feel a little too much like dystopian science fiction.
The Take It Down Act proposes to criminalize the non-consensual publication of intimate images, whether they are your garden-variety revenge porn or the increasingly popular and concerning AI-generated deepfakes. For tech-savvy social media companies, the bill also demands that they take down these offensive materials within 48 hours of being notified by the victims. Apparently, this is a matter of urgency because heaven forbid anyone should have to see an image of themselves as a digital swindler.
Mrs. Trump highlighted her youthful passion for this cause, declaring that her effort aims to protect children from the dark side of the internet. This comes as part of her Be Best initiative, which essentially mandates politicians should prioritize children’s well-being over political gridlock. She shared that the “abusive behavior” online must be addressed to foster a safe environment for America’s youth. Who could argue with that? It’s almost as if she is channeling every parent ever who has tried to protect their children from the unfathomable horror of the internet.
The bill has gained bipartisan support, co-sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Amy Klobuchar, which means it has something for both sides of the aisle. It managed to sail through the Senate with unanimous consent – a feat that usually requires a minor miracle or perhaps divine intervention given today’s political climate. Lawmakers present at the roundtable nodded in agreement that Mrs. Trump’s star power could just be the magical ingredient needed to push the bill through the House. If only every bill had such a powerful advocate behind it.
At the roundtable, victims of deepfake technology shared their harrowing experiences. One story featured a young girl whose innocent photo was transformed into something more sinister by a detestable classmate. Thanks to a senator’s intervention, that particular image was removed, showing that sometimes it takes a little political elbow grease to get social media platforms to act. Legislators, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, reinforced the need to slap a hefty felony label on those involved in distributing these digital nightmares. After all, when the children of America are at stake, why not add a little fear of legal consequences into the mix?
Melania Trump lobbies Congress to criminalize publication of revenge porn; House leaders vow votehttps://t.co/3mQ3HqJApH pic.twitter.com/lI3ZfEJvfL
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 4, 2025
Despite the legislation’s important aims, the turnout of Democratic representatives at the roundtable was abysmal, with only one member showing up. Mrs. Trump expressed surprise at this lack of participation, suggesting that children’s safety should transcend partisan politics. One Democratic representative did emphasize that the focus should be on solutions that protect kids while showcasing the unique talents that tech innovation can provide. However, it remains to be seen if more Democrats will rally for this worthy cause when it comes time to vote.
As the Take It Down Act rounds the final corners, its fate will mainly depend on a robust push in the House. If it passes, it could soon find its way to the President’s desk, where a focused pen (if a permanent marker is not handy) could turn this critical legislation into law. Mrs. Trump tops off her visit with an eloquent reminder that protecting children shouldn’t be a matter of political posturing—yet, here we are, again.
