First lady Melania Trump made her first solo public appearance since returning to the White House, lobbying on Capitol Hill Monday for a bill that would make posting intimate imagery online—real or fake—a federal crime.
Calling the issue “heartbreaking,” she urged the Republican-controlled Congress to prioritise the well-being of young people, highlighting the lasting harm such content inflicts on teenagers, particularly girls.
“It’s heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content, like deepfakes,” Melania said during a roundtable discussion about the “Take It Down Act” at the US Capitol.
“This toxic environment can be severely damaging. We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape. Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themselves freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm,” she added.
The Senate approved the “Take It Down Act” in February, and with the first lady’s public support, the bill could gain momentum in the Republican-controlled House before reaching President Donald Trump’s desk for final approval.
During the discussion, Melania also criticised Democrats for their lack of participation, noting that only one, California Rep. Ro Khanna, was present, stating: “Surely as adults, we can prioritise America’s children ahead of partisan politics.”
Earlier, during the first Trump administration, Melania had launched the “Be Best” initiative, focusing on online safety, youth well-being, and strengthening the child welfare system.
As part of the program, she hosted virtual roundtables on foster care and advocated for reforms to improve child welfare. She has expressed interest in reviving “Be Best” in her second tenure as First Lady, continuing its mission to protect and support young people.
“As first lady, my commitment to the ‘Be Best’ initiative underscores the importance of online safety,” said the mother of Barron Trump.
“In an era where digital interactions are integral to daily life, it is imperative that we safeguard children from mean-spirited and hurtful online behavior,” she added.
What is the The Take It Down Act
- The Take It Down Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), seeks to make it a federal crime to publish or threaten to publish
non-consensual intimate imagery , including AI-generated forgeries. - The legislation passed the Senate unanimously earlier in 2025, and Cruz expressed confidence on Monday that it will clear the House and become law.
- The proposed legislation outlines specific penalties: sharing non-consensual intimate images of minors could result in three years’ imprisonment, whilst adult cases carry a two-year sentence.
- For threatening to share such content, the penalties are two and a half years for cases involving minors and one and a half years for adults.
- Additionally, the legislation would require social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, to establish protocols for removing such content within 48 hours of receiving victim notifications.
