On Monday, Melania Trump made an appearance on Capitol Hill to advocate for a proposed bill aimed at criminalizing the online distribution of intimate images, both genuine and fabricated. She expressed deep concern over the distress teenagers, particularly girls, endure when such images are shared online without consent. It marked her solo public re-engagement as the first lady since January 20, emphasizing the need for the Republican-majority Congress to center its attention on the welfare of the youth.
“This harmful environment can be incredibly detrimental. We need to make their well-being a priority by providing them with the resources and tools required to navigate this challenging digital world,” she stated during a Capitol Hill roundtable on the “Take It Down Act.”
“Every young individual should have the privilege of exploring the online space safely and without the fear of exploitation or harm,” Melania Trump added.
Having cleared the Senate in February, the “Take It Down Act” might gain momentum with Melania Trump’s support, pushing it through the House and potentially bringing it to President Donald Trump for ratification. The bill is championed by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, along with Representatives Maria Salazar and Madeleine Dean.
Hosting the event in the Mansfield Room, Cruz praised the first lady’s involvement, stating her influence could hasten the bill’s progress into law. The initiative is partly inspired by Elliston Berry’s experience—as recounted by Cruz—where a nonconsensual deepfake image of her circulated online and requests for its removal were initially ignored.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has endorsed the bill. “Sharing or threatening to share intimate images without permission can be devastating, and Meta supports various initiatives to prevent such occurrences,” noted communications director Andy Stone.
The legislation targets nonconsensual publication of intimate images and obligates social platforms to remove them within 48 hours and prevent replicates if requested by a victim.
Attending the roundtable, House Speaker Mike Johnson also voiced backing for the bill, though he refrained from specifying when it might be voted on. “We are eager to advance it to President Trump for approval, as we must take action against this issue, and I fully endorse it,” Johnson affirmed.
During the meeting, Melania Trump critiqued the absence of broader Democratic participation, with Rep. Ro Khanna standing as the lone Democrat in attendance. “Surely, as adults, we should prioritize America’s children over partisan politics,” she remarked.
The appearance alongside Cruz was notable, given the contentious campaign history between Cruz and Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential race, which included a misleading accusation involving Melania.
Previously, through her “Be Best” initiative, Melania focused on online safety among youths during her time as the first lady and has since expressed interest in revitalizing the program.