US House passes bill to fight deepfakes, revenge porn

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the “Take It Down” Act on Monday, a bill designed to crack down on the non-consensual distribution of sexually explicit imagery, including AI-generated deepfake content.

The legislation aims to protect victims from the growing threat of digitally manipulated and intimate images shared without consent — a problem that has impacted both public figures and everyday individuals, including high school students.

The measure passed in a 409-2 vote and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for his expected signature.

“Advancing this legislation has been a key focus since I returned to my role as First Lady this past January,” Melania Trump said in a statement celebrating the bill’s passage. “I am honored to have contributed to guiding it through Congress.”

The first lady, who reemerged on the public stage earlier this year, has played a visible role in championing the bill. Last month, she personally lobbied House members to support the effort. A White House official confirmed that she plans to attend the bill signing ceremony once it reaches the president.

Introduced by Senator Ted Cruz, the bill garnered rare bipartisan support, with lawmakers including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Madeleine Dean joining the initiative. The Senate approved the legislation in February.

According to Cruz’s office, the new law would make it a crime to publish non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated content commonly referred to as deepfake pornography. It would also compel online platforms to establish mechanisms allowing victims to request the removal of such content.

In her Capitol Hill remarks last month, Melania Trump underscored the urgency of the issue.

“It’s heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content, like deepfakes. This toxic environment can be severely damaging," she stated. "Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themselves freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm.”

Her renewed involvement continues her “Be Best” initiative, which emphasized online safety for children and teens during the Trump administration’s first term.

Though she has maintained a relatively low profile during her husband’s second term, Melania Trump’s visible support for the bill signals a reinvigorated role as First Lady, particularly around issues of digital abuse and youth protection.