Melania Trump to speak for the first time on Capitol Hill in roundtable focused on punishing revenge porn

First lady Melania Trump took to Capitol Hill on Monday to speak out against online abuse and revenge pornography, advocating for the passage of the Take it Down Act alongside lawmakers from both parties. This marks her first public appearance since the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20.

During the roundtable discussion, Melania Trump emphasized the importance of protecting our youth from the harmful effects of abusive behavior in the digital realm. She highlighted the need for a safe and supportive online environment for young people, urging Congress to approve the Take it Down Act.

The Take it Down Act, introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, aims to make it a federal crime to publish or threaten to publish nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes. The bill has already passed the Senate and is expected to pass the House before becoming law.

The legislation would require social media platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of notice from the victim, with penalties of up to three years in prison for sharing images involving minors and two years for adults. The bill also addresses threats involving minors and adults, imposing penalties of up to two and a half years and one and a half years in prison, respectively.

Melania Trump was joined by lawmakers such as Rep. Ro Khanna, Sen. Cruz, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and others who voiced their support for the bill. Rep. Maria Salazar applauded the legislation for holding Big Tech accountable and ensuring the timely removal of harmful content.

The first lady also shared the stories of young victims of revenge porn and AI-generated explicit images, including Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old girl who fell victim to deepfakes created by her high school peers. Berry expressed her fear and shame at discovering the images and emphasized the need for legislation to protect survivors.

Another young woman, Francesca Mani, shared her experience with deepfake abuse, calling for schools to take immediate action against AI exploitation and harassment. Breeze Liu, a victim of AI-generated revenge porn, recounted her humiliation upon discovering her face on a pornographic video online.

The lawmakers and witnesses at the roundtable highlighted the devastating impact of online abuse on individuals and families, with Republican Rep. Brandon Guffey sharing the tragic story of his son’s suicide following a sextortion scam. The group emphasized the urgent need for laws to keep pace with technological advancements and protect victims of online exploitation.

As the conversation on online abuse and revenge pornography continues, Melania Trump and lawmakers are working together to pass the Take it Down Act and ensure the safety and well-being of our youth in the digital age. Their efforts aim to create a safer online environment for all individuals, free from exploitation and harm.