A landmark bill targeting “revenge porn” is headed to President Trump’s desk after overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress, providing victims of nonconsensual sexual imagery with powerful new legal protections.

At a Glance

• The “Take It Down Act” passed the House with a 409-2 vote after unanimous Senate approval
• First Lady Melania Trump championed the bill as part of her “Be Best” initiative
• Websites must remove nonconsensual sexual content within 48 hours of notification
• The legislation addresses both traditional revenge porn and AI-generated “deepfakes”
• President Trump has committed to signing the bill into law

Overwhelming Congressional Support

Congress has delivered a decisive message against digital exploitation by passing the Take It Down Act with near-unanimous support. The House voted 409-2 in favor of the legislation after it had already received unanimous approval in the Senate. Only Representatives Thomas Massie and Eric Burlison voted against the measure. The bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), specifically targets the sharing of nonconsensual sexual imagery, including AI-generated “deepfakes.”

“The passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act is a historic win in the fight to protect victims of revenge porn and deepfake abuse.”, said Sen. Ted Cruz.

The legislation received support from over 120 organizations, including victim advocacy groups, law enforcement agencies, and technology industry representatives. This broad coalition underscores the widespread recognition of the serious harm caused by nonconsensual sharing of intimate images and the need for federal protection. While some states like California and Florida already have laws against sexually explicit deepfakes, this federal legislation provides consistent protection nationwide.

First Lady’s Advocacy

First Lady Melania Trump has been a key figure in championing the Take It Down Act as part of her “Be Best” initiative, which focuses on children’s well-being and online safety. She participated in a roundtable event with lawmakers and victims to discuss the issue and build support for the legislation. The bill aligns with her campaign’s emphasis on social, emotional, and physical health for children, particularly in the digital age where young people face unprecedented online threats.

“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. I am thankful to the Members of Congress—both in the House and Senate—who voted to protect the well-being of our youth. Through this critical legislation and our continued focus with ‘Be Best,’ we are building a future where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.” Melania Trump said.

Melania Trump’s spokesman noted that the bill establishes accountability for malicious behavior while protecting privacy. The First Lady will continue her efforts in this area, with “Be Best Day” scheduled for May 7th. Her initiative also focuses on foster care and supporting youth transitioning to adulthood, aligning with National Foster Care Month in May.

Protecting Victims

A central provision of the Take It Down Act requires websites to remove nonconsensual sexual imagery within 48 hours of notification from a victim. This rapid response requirement addresses one of the most critical issues victims face: getting harmful content removed quickly before it can spread widely across the internet. The legislation specifically targets both traditional “revenge porn” and the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes, where technology is used to create fake but realistic-looking sexual images of real people.

“I knew I could never go back and undo what he did, but I wanted to do anything to help prevent this from happening to others. With the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, we can protect future generations from having to experience the pain I went through. The outpouring of support for this bill has been amazing to see, and I’ve been truly inspired by how so many of America’s leaders and major tech organizations have come together to promote this important cause.”, said Elliston Berry.

Elliston Berry, who shared her experience of being targeted with deepfake images at age 14, has been a powerful advocate for the bill. Her testimony highlighted the devastating impact such experiences can have on young victims and the urgent need for legal protections. The legislation aims to prevent similar incidents by giving victims legal recourse and requiring prompt action from online platforms.

Debate and Future Implementation

While the Take It Down Act enjoyed overwhelming support, some critics have raised concerns about potential impacts on free speech, due process, and online privacy rights. The Internet Society has expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on encryption and online security. These voices argue for careful implementation to ensure the law achieves its intended purpose without unintended consequences for lawful online communication.

“For victims of revenge or AI-generated explicit imagery, life can change instantly and permanently. Everyone has the right to have these disturbing images removed from the internet immediately.”, concludes Senator Cruz.

President Trump has committed to signing the bill into law once it reaches his desk, even suggesting he might personally benefit from its protections given his own experiences with negative online content. As the legislation moves toward implementation, attention will turn to how effectively it protects victims while navigating complex questions of online content moderation, jurisdiction, and enforcement.