Melania Trump Makes Rare Appearance, Advocates for Federal Legislation Against Non-Consensual Image Sharing

Melania Trump recently made a rare public appearance to advocate for the Take It Down Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the non-consensual sharing of explicit images, including AI-generated deepfakes. Speaking before Capitol Hill, the former First Lady emphasized the need to protect young people from harmful online behavior, calling the issue “heartbreaking.” The bill, which has already passed the Senate, would criminalize the creation and distribution of such content and require tech companies to remove it within 48 hours. Perpetrators could face up to three years in prison if the victim is a minor. Melania urged lawmakers to prioritize children over partisan politics, expressing disappointment at the lack of Democratic support. The panel also heard from victims of deepfake exploitation, highlighting the urgency of the legislation. This effort aligns with Melania’s previous initiatives, such as her “Be Best” campaign, which focused on combating cyberbullying and protecting youth online.