On Monday, the GOP-led House overwhelmingly passed a bill championed by First Lady Melania Trump to protect victims of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes. The “Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act” gained support from 207 Republicans and 202 Democrats. It now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.
Once signed, the legislation will prohibit the non-consensual online publication of intimate images, including digital forgeries. Violators could face fines, prison time, and mandatory restitution, especially when targeting adults or exploiting minors. The law also forces platforms hosting user-generated content to remove flagged depictions within 48 hours, with the Federal Trade Commission overseeing enforcement.
The Senate had already unanimously passed the bill in February. Melania Trump later urged the House to act during a roundtable discussion with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), lawmakers, survivors, and online safety advocates. She warned about the dangers of “malicious online content” and its impact on young people, particularly girls.
“This toxic environment can be severely damaging. We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape,” Melania Trump said. “Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themself freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) praised the bill’s passage and credited the first lady for her efforts. “Today, the House took a critical step to combat the growing online publication of real and deepfake nonconsensual intimate images with the passage of the Take It Down Act. I want to thank First Lady Melania Trump for championing this important legislation that empowers and provides protections to victims of online sexual exploitation,” Johnson said. “The First Lady’s leadership has been instrumental in the bill’s passage, and we look forward to seeing this signed into law.”
Melania Trump also celebrated the victory in a statement tied to her “Be Best” initiative. “Today’s bipartisan passage of the Take It Down Act is a powerful statement that we stand united in protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of our children,” she said. “I am thankful to the Members of Congress — both in the House and Senate — who voted to protect the well-being of our youth.”
Only two members voted against the bill — Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Eric Burlison (R-MO). Before the vote, Massie criticized the legislation on X, sharing a Washington Post analysis that called the bill “flawed.” He wrote, “Tonight we’re voting on the ‘TAKE IT DOWN Act,’ a bill that would impose federal criminal and civil penalties for publishing unauthorized intimate pictures generated with AI. I’m voting NO because I feel this is a slippery slope, ripe for abuse, with unintended consequences.”