Take It Down Act signed into law by President Trump in Rose Garden ceremony
President Donald Trump praised the unprecedented level of bipartisanship that led to the passage of the Take It Down Act, a new law aimed at punishing internet abuse involving nonconsensual explicit imagery. The president signed the bill during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, with first lady Melania Trump by his side.
The first lady has been a vocal advocate for the legislation since her husband’s inauguration, highlighting the importance of protecting individuals, especially young people, from the harmful effects of non-consensual intimate imagery. She emphasized the impact of artificial intelligence and social media on the cognitive development of children, noting that these technologies can be weaponized to shape beliefs and emotions, sometimes with deadly consequences.
President Trump commended the level of cooperation between Democrats and Republicans that resulted in the passage of the Take It Down Act. He acknowledged the work of the first lady in bringing together lawmakers from both parties to support the bill.
The Take It Down Act, introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, makes it a federal crime to publish or threaten to publish nonconsensual intimate imagery, including digitally manipulated deepfakes. The bill received unanimous support in the Senate and overwhelming approval in the House of Representatives.
The legislation imposes penalties of up to three years in prison for sharing nonconsensual intimate images involving minors and two years for images involving adults. It also requires social media companies to remove such content within 48 hours of notification from the victim.
The first lady has been actively involved in advocating for the Take It Down Act, participating in roundtable discussions with lawmakers and victims of revenge porn and deepfakes. She has highlighted the devastating impact of malicious online content on young individuals, sharing the stories of teenagers who have been victims of non-consensual imagery.
The first lady’s efforts have been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of protecting individuals from online exploitation and harassment. She has emphasized the need for accountability and consequences for those who engage in such harmful behavior.
The Take It Down Act represents a significant step towards justice, healing, and unity, as it seeks to provide a voice to victims of nonconsensual intimate imagery and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. The first lady’s commitment to online safety and the well-being of children underscores the importance of safeguarding individuals from digital harm in today’s interconnected world.
