Bipartisan Blowout Delivers Victory for Victims of Exploitation
In a historic 409–2 vote, the House of Representatives passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act on Monday, signaling overwhelming bipartisan support for one of the most powerful crackdowns yet on AI-generated deepfake pornography and revenge porn.
The bill, formally titled the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act, was introduced in the Senate by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and championed in the House by Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL).
But perhaps the most powerful force behind its passage was none other than First Lady Melania Trump, who has rarely weighed in on public policy—until now.
A Rare, Powerful Advocacy from the First Lady
Since resuming her role in January, Melania Trump has made combatting online sexual exploitation a top priority. She hosted a high-profile roundtable in March focused on deepfakes and revenge porn, rallying lawmakers to act on what she called a “silent digital epidemic.”
Following the bill’s passage, she took to X to celebrate:
“PASSED: Take It Down Act. Advancing this legislation has been a key focus since I returned to my role as First Lady. I am honored to have contributed to guiding it through Congress.”
“By safeguarding children from hurtful online behavior today, we take a vital step in nurturing our leaders of tomorrow.”
What the Bill Does
The TAKE IT DOWN Act targets the nonconsensual online publication of intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, that are either meant to cause harm or were taken or created under circumstances where the victim had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Key provisions include:
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Mandatory takedown within 48 hours of platform notification
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Applies to authentic and computer-generated images
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Criminal penalties for violators, including prison time and fines
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Mandatory restitution to victims
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Prohibits threats to publish such images
The law explicitly protects minors, prohibiting any image intended to harass, abuse, or sexually gratify at the minor’s expense.
Near-Unanimous Support—With Two Holdouts
Only Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) voted against the bill. Both lawmakers have expressed general opposition to federal involvement in online regulation, but their resistance was widely drowned out by the overwhelming bipartisan consensus that digital exploitation must be crushed.
Next Stop: President Trump’s Desk
The legislation now heads to President Trump, who is expected to sign the bill immediately, making it one of the most aggressive federal efforts ever passed to combat online sexual abuse.
This is more than a legislative win—it’s a moral milestone, driven by a First Lady determined to protect the dignity of every citizen in the digital age.
The message is clear: Exploitation ends here. And America’s children—and women—are no longer digital prey.