Melania Trump-Backed ‘Revenge Porn’ Bill Heads to President’s Desk After Sweeping House Vote

In a landmark step toward combating nonconsensual explicit content online, the House of Representatives on Monday overwhelmingly passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act—a bipartisan bill supported by First Lady Melania Trump. The legislation, which addresses the growing threat of revenge porn and AI-generated deepfake nudes, passed with a 409–2 vote and is now headed to President Donald Trump’s desk for final approval.

Officially titled the Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks (TAKE IT DOWN) Act, the bill criminalizes the online publication of intimate images—both real and computer-generated—without the subject’s consent. It targets material intended to harm, harass, or exploit individuals, including minors, and includes explicit language addressing AI-generated “deepfakes.”

According to the bill summary, platforms must promptly remove reported content within 48 hours and implement mechanisms allowing victims to flag and request takedown of such media. Violators face mandatory restitution, potential prison time, and financial penalties. Threats to publish these images are also prosecutable.

“This is about dignity, privacy, and justice in the digital age,” said First Lady Melania Trump, who spoke on Capitol Hill in support of the bill. Her advocacy spotlighted the growing urgency of addressing online abuse enabled by emerging technologies.

Originally introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in January and passed in the Senate in February, the legislation was carried through the House by Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL). Only two House Republicans—Reps. Thomas Massie (KY) and Eric Burlison (MO)—voted against the measure. Massie acknowledged the bill’s scope, noting it criminalizes unauthorized publication of AI-generated explicit imagery.

As awareness of digital exploitation rises, the TAKE IT DOWN Act represents a decisive move to equip victims with legal recourse and compel platforms to take responsibility in the fight against tech-enabled abuse.