Melania Trump faces backlash after she

Melania Trump has drawn backlash after signing the Take It Down Act alongside President Trump on May 19, breaking political protocol since first ladies aren’t elected officials. While her signature holds no legal weight, Trump encouraged it, praising her role in pushing the bill through Congress. The law criminalizes publishing or threatening to publish intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, without consent. It also mandates that websites remove such content within 48 hours. Melania called the bill a “national victory,” highlighting the dangers of AI and social media on children’s development.

Many online criticized the symbolic signing, with some pointing out the double standard had a Democratic first lady done the same. Despite the controversy, the White House credited Melania’s advocacy and her continued commitment to children’s safety through her Be Best campaign. Meanwhile, her bronze statue in Slovenia was recently stolen for the second time, following an earlier arson attack on a wooden version. Artist Brad Downey, who created the statue, suspects political motives. Adding to the intrigue, journalist Michael Wolff claimed Melania and Donald Trump live separately, fueling ongoing speculation about her limited public appearances since Trump’s return to office.