Trump Signs the ‘Take It Down’ Act, Making Deepfakes and Revenge Porn Illegal

President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act, a bipartisan bill designed to shield families and children from internet exploitation, into law in a historic Rose Garden ceremony.

President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act, a bipartisan bill designed to shield families and children from internet exploitation, into law in a historic Rose Garden ceremony. A major milestone for her Be Best program was reached when First Lady Melania Trump, a prominent supporter of the legislation, joined the President in the ceremony.

The new law forces social media sites to erase intimate photographs, including AI-generated “deepfakes,” within 48 hours of a victim’s request and makes it a federal criminal to “knowingly publish” or threaten to publish such images without authorization. The responsibility of taking action to remove any duplicates falls on the websites and social media platforms as well.

According to Melania Trump, artificial intelligence (AI) and social media are the digital candy of the future—sweet, addicting, and designed to affect our kids’ cognitive development. However, in contrast to sugar, these new technologies have the potential to be lethal, weaponize, and, regrettably, influence emotions and attitudes.

“Countless women have been harassed with deepfakes and other explicit images distributed against their will,” President Trump said, highlighting the importance of safeguarding women and children from online exploitation. We’re outlawing it completely today.” Melania Trump’s stance on the matter was also praised by the president, who said, “I want to thank Melania for your leadership on this very important issue.” America is fortunate to have a First Lady who is so committed and caring.

In March, Melania Trump made her debut appearance as a solo speaker and encouraged Congress to approve the law. She said, “It’s heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content, like deepfakes,” at a roundtable on the bill on March 3.

With a 409-2 House vote and a unanimous Senate vote, the Take It Down Act was overwhelmingly supported by both parties in Congress.

Many lawmakers and campaigners have expressed thanks for the President’s signature, hailing the measure as a significant win for victims of internet exploitation. According to Melania Trump, “Today, through the ‘TAKE IT DOWN’ Act, we affirm that the well-being of our children is central to the future of our families and America” .

Both Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar and Senator Ted Cruz, who are Republicans, sponsored the bill. Melania Trump said that the bipartisan vote was a “powerful statement that we stand united in protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of our children” after the bill was approved by the House.

Additionally, Trump stated that no one “gets treated worse than I do online,” and he added, “And I’m going to use that bill for myself, too, if you don’t mind.” No one.

Tech firms that have backed the measure include Google, TikTok, and Meta. Critics have, however, voiced their concerns that the law violates people’s right to free expression and privacy.