First Lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance on Capitol Hill on Monday, advocating for the passage of the Take It Down Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on revenge porn and AI-generated deepfake sexual images.

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The legislation, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and co-sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), would require online platforms to swiftly remove explicit deepfake content upon request from victims.

During a panel discussion with lawmakers, Melania Trump expressed concern over the dangers of deepfake pornography, particularly for young women and girls, and criticized the lack of public support from Democratic lawmakers.

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“It’s heartbreaking to witness some teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content,” she said.

“I was heartened to learn that [GOP] Senator [Ted] Cruz [of Texas] and [Dem] Senator [Amy] Klobuchar [of Minnesota] united to prioritize this fundamental matter,” she continued.

“I must admit, however, I expected to see more Democrat[ic] leaders with us here today to address this serious issue. Surely as adults, we can prioritize American children ahead of partisan politics.”

The Take It Down Act seeks to require websites that allow user-generated content, including social media platforms, to implement a “notice and takedown” process for deepfake pornography.

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Platforms would have 48 hours to remove such content once notified by the victim.

The bill also strengthens legal protections for individuals who have had nonconsensual sexual images—whether real or AI-generated—shared online.

Offenders could face up to three years in prison if the victim is a minor and two years if the victim is an adult.

Melania Trump, who has long advocated for child safety through her “Be Best” initiative, called on Congress to act.

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“By advocating this bill, Congress can take an important step towards ensuring accountability and fostering responsible online behavior,” she said.

“The Take It Down Act represents our first step towards justice, healing, and unity.”

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The Senate unanimously passed the bill last month, with House Republicans now preparing to advance it in the lower chamber.

The House version of the bill was introduced by Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.).

“If you’re a victim of revenge porn or AI-generated explicit imagery, your life changes forever,” Sen. Cruz said during the event.

“Disturbingly, many of these victims are teenagers at American high schools.”

Several House members joined the panel discussion, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), and House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-Mich.).

Khanna, whose district includes Silicon Valley, emphasized the importance of balancing free speech protections with safeguards against abuse.

“America should lead in making sure that technology protects kids and protects people.

And I think this bill, as you’ve crafted it, Senator Cruz, balances the free-speech concerns with the protections,” Khanna said.

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The panel also heard testimony from victims of deepfake pornography, including Elliston Berry, a Texas teenager who was targeted with an AI-generated explicit image when she was just 14 years old.

“I felt responsible and began to blame myself, and was ashamed to tell my parents, despite doing nothing wrong,” Berry recalled.

“I lived in fear that [the fake images] would resurface.”

Cruz said Berry’s case was a direct catalyst for his push to introduce this legislation.

“I turned to my staff in my office that afternoon, and I said, ‘I want you to get the CEO of Snapchat on the phone today. I want those pictures down today.’ Within two hours, they pulled them down,” he said.

“It should not take a sitting senator or sitting member of Congress picking up the phone to get a picture down or a video down. It should be the right of every American, every teenage girl victimized.”

While many states already have laws addressing revenge porn, penalties and enforcement vary widely.

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The rise of AI-generated content has made it easier than ever for bad actors to create and distribute explicit deepfake images without victims’ consent.

High-profile figures, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and pop star Taylor Swift, have been targets of deepfake pornography, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.

As lawmakers work to advance the Take It Down Act, Melania Trump’s involvement adds momentum to the push for stronger federal protections against the exploitation of AI-generated content.

House Republicans are expected to move the bill forward in the coming weeks.

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