President Donald Trump signed the “Take It Down Act” into law today, delivering a strong message to online predators and AI abusers. Joined by First Lady Melania Trump in the Rose Garden, the President declared war on the nonconsensual spread of explicit imagery—especially AI-generated deepfakes.
Bipartisan Unity in the Fight Against Digital Abuse
The new law criminalizes the distribution of sexually explicit content without consent, including AI-generated fakes, with steep penalties for offenders. It also forces websites to remove such content within 48 hours if a victim makes a takedown request.
President Trump praised the bill as a “major step forward in protecting Americans from digital predators,” especially women and children. In a rare moment of unity, the bill passed 409-2 in the House and cleared the Senate unanimously.
Melania Trump: Champion for Children in the AI Age
First Lady Melania Trump delivered a powerful speech warning about how artificial intelligence and social media platforms are “digital candy” designed to manipulate young minds. Her involvement was crucial in pushing the bill forward, driven by heartbreaking stories like Elliston Berry, a teenager whose life was upended by AI-generated explicit images.
Pres. Trump and first lady Melania Trump teamed up Monday for the signing of the "Take it Down Act" — a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit videos and photos.
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President Trump credited Melania for her leadership, noting her influence and dedication. He even joked that “even Putin talks about how great Melania is”, earning laughs while highlighting the First Lady’s global impact.
A Federal Crackdown on Deepfake Exploitation
The “Take It Down Act” was spearheaded by Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Amy Klobuchar, showing that when it comes to protecting children and families, both parties can still unite. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar led the House charge, securing strong Republican support.
Donald Trump has signed the 'Take it Down Act' into law
• Criminalizes the non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit content, including AI-generated deepfakes
• Social platforms and websites must remove reported imagery within 48 hours or face penalties
"With the rise of… pic.twitter.com/mdGdPe5ZyB
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) May 19, 2025
With this law, the Federal Trade Commission now has the power to hold platforms accountable if they don’t comply with takedown demands. The law replaces the chaotic patchwork of weak state laws with a strong national standard.
“It’s wrong. It’s horribly wrong,” President Trump said. “And today we’re making it totally illegal.”
This marks the sixth bill signed by Trump in his second term, reinforcing his focus on law, order, and protecting Americans from the dark side of AI and digital abuse. The signing ceremony ended on a light note, with Trump referencing his own online battles, connecting personally to the issue while staying focused on delivering justice.
With this bold move, President Trump just made the internet a safer place for every American.
Sources:
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