First Lady-Championed Law Criminalizing Nonconsensual Sexual Images Signed By the President
Melania Trump ushers in bipartisan legislation, a step in holding Big Tech companies accountable for content on their platforms.
Melania Trump appeared alongside her husband at the White House Rose Garden on Monday where the president signed into law legislation that criminalizes the sharing of nonconsensual sexually explicit images, a cause the first lady championed shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Known as the Take It Down Act, the legislation, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, penalizes anyone who spreads images of someone without their consent and requires technology platforms to promptly remove the images once reported. The bill includes AI-generated deepfake images—also commonly referred to as sextortion and revenge porn. The bipartisan bill was introduced in August by Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota.
“Artificial Intelligence and social media are the digital candy for the next generation–sweet, addictive and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children,” the first lady said during the ceremony. “But unlike sugar, this new technology can be weaponized, shape beliefs, and sadly, affect emotions and even be deadly.”
The legislation is significant because it is the first internet content law to clear Congress since 2018 when legislation was passed to crack down on online sex trafficking. It also is a step to hold internet companies accountable for the unregulated content that flows freely and has been proven to harm children. Violating the law carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and it will establish civil liabilities for online platforms who refuse to take these images down promptly upon request, the president said. The law, which received support from tech companies including Google, Meta and Microsoft, will go into effect within the next year.
“Predators who weaponize new technology to post this exploitative filth will now rightfully face criminal consequences, and Big Tech will no longer be allowed to turn a blind eye to the spread of this vile material,” Cruz said in a statement Monday.
For Mrs. Trump, the Take It Down Act aligned well with her Be Best initiative launched during the Trump administration’s first term and recently revived at the start of her second term. Its focus includes youth well-being and combating cyberbullying, spotlighting the opioid crisis and supporting children in foster care.
“Today, I’m proud to say that the values of Be Best would be reflected in the law of the land,” she said.
The legislation was first brought to the attention of the first lady by Sen. Klobuchar during an Inauguration Day luncheon in January. In an interview, Klobuchar said the first lady was moved by the stories of families and young people who had been harmed by the malicious use of their images.
In March, Mrs. Trump first inserted herself in advocating for the Take It Down Act when she hosted a roundtable at the Capitol Building that was attended by lawmakers, survivors and leaders from organizations. Mrs. Trump was joined by Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old female survivor of revenge porn, during that roundtable and on Monday, the first lady thanked Berry in attendance in the Rose Garden for her courage.
“[Berry] stood boldly for change despite the risk posed to her and her family by speaking out and making her voice heard,” Mrs. Trump said. “Elliston, your voice and the voices of so many like you made this bill a national priority.”
The first lady went on to thank members of Congress especially for “prioritizing people over politics,” a comment which drew a round of applause.
“Working with our first lady we’ve shown that bipartisanship is still possible,” Mr. Trump said, who thanked his wife for her efforts.
“Today, It’s my honor to officially sign the Take It Down Act into law. It’s a big thing, very important. It’s so horrible what takes place,” the president said of digital deepfakes sharing of sexually explicit images. “We will not tolerate online sexual exploitation. It’s gone on at levels nobody’s ever seen before. It’s getting worse and worse. This is going to hopefully stop it.”
After Mr. Trump signed the bill, he turned to his wife and asked, “Honey, do you want to sign it?”
Mrs. Trump accepted the pen and as she scrawled her name, the president added, “She deserves to sign it.”
Biden: ‘Thank You for Lifting Us Up With Love and Support’
Former President Joe Biden Monday thank people for the outpouring of support in a social media post in the wake of the Mr. Biden’s announcement Sunday that he’s been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer.
In an image Mr. Biden posted, he is seated next to his wife, former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and their cat, Willow.
“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,” the former president, 82, said in the post.
The cancer, according to a statement from his personal office, has spread to his bones. The statement went on to read that the cancer was characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), but appeared to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. The former president and his family “are reviewing treatment options with his physician,” the statement said.
Calendar
May 20, 2025
29th Annual Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum
Join the Carter Center from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, for the 29th Annual Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum—a powerful gathering of mental health professionals, advocates, and community leaders. This year’s event will explore the intersection of public safety and school-based behavioral health, provide updates on the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act, highlight effective advocacy strategies, and share the latest on caregiving in Georgia through the newly expanded Rosalynn Carter Mental Health and Caregiving program. Read more
May 21, 2025
Tudor Place Celebrates Champion of Preservation at Annual Spring Garden Party
The Tudor Place Board of Trustees and Co-Chairs Charlotte Grassi Ramirez and Gwendolyn Lohse Assey announced its Spring Garden Party will be held on May 21. Each year, the Spring Garden Party recognizes an instrumental figure, who has been stalwart in the support of Tudor Place and the community who inspires others to engage with and support historic preservation.
This year’s event will honor Mrs. Beverly Jost, a passionate advocate for conserving Georgetown’s history, according to a news release. Mrs. Jost served with distinction on the Board of Trustees of Tudor Place for nine years, including three as president. Beverly has shared a profound respect for the past, working tirelessly for over 35 years promoting historic preservation and the beauty of Georgetown.
The Spring Garden Party celebrates Tudor Place’s ongoing commitment to historic preservation, conservation and dynamic educational programming. As the institution’s most important fundraiser of the year, proceeds account for more than 20% of annual operating revenue, the news release said.
For tickets and information, please visit the website.
June 12, 2025
Eleanor Roosevelt: Censorship, Past & Present
The Eleanor Roosevelt Center presents the in-person panel discussion “Eleanor Roosevelt and Censorship, Past and Present” from 6 to 7 p.m. on June 12 at Vassar College. This panel, moderated by Vassar Professor Emerita of History Miriam Cohen, will explore the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt’s fight for free expression, the past and present of intellectual freedom, global censorship trends, and what Roosevelt’s legacy can teach in this moment.
The panelists featured are Blanche Wiesen Cook, distinguished professor of history and women’s studies at John Jay College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and author of her definitive biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol I The Early Years 1884–1933; Vol II The Defining Years 1933- 1938; Vol III The War Years and After 1939-1962; Daniel Shank Cruz, the Special Assistant for U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America; Yana Gorokhovskaia, research director for strategy and design at Freedom House; and Lee Rowland, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship. All ticket proceeds benefit our 2nd Annual Bravery in Literature “Banned Book Awards” Ceremony on October 11th, which honors authors whose books are challenged or banned. Read more
June 13, 2025
Legacy Lecture: Tea Time Tales of Widowed First Ladies
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents Los Angeles-based comedian Lauren Howard Hayes, a first lady enthusiast, in the one-woman show: Tea Time Tales of Widowed First Ladies. The event will be presented virtually from noon to 1 p.m. ET.
In this performative yet informative multimedia event, Hayes brings to life the stories, secrets, and personalities of former First Ladies Mary Lincoln, Ida McKinley, Lucretia Garfield, and Jackie Kennedy in a hilarious and insightful blend of character comedy and historical storytelling. Read more
June 19, 2025
Third Thursday Wine & Cheese: Mary Lincoln’s Fashion Legacy
To honor Juneteenth, for one night only, the National First Ladies Library & Museum will unveil a breathtaking Civil War-era capelet designed by former First Lady Mary Lincoln’s dressmaker and confidante, Elizabeth Keckley—a talented Black designer who left a lasting mark on fashion and history. This exclusive, in-person showcase at 6:30 p.m EST will transport visitors to an era where style and politics intertwined, offering a rare glimpse into the first lady’s wardrobe and her remarkable relationship with Keckley. Read more
June 23, 2025
Cooking with the First Ladies with Sarah Morgan
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents “Cooking with the First Ladies With Sarah Morgan,” a virtual program exploring the life and legacy of Barbara Bush—the beloved first lady known for her grace, compassion, and commitment to literacy. This virtual program brings history and cooking together and will guide participants through a recipe that Barbara Bush herself loved while sharing fascinating stories from Barbara’s time in the White House. Read more
Submit calendar items, announcements and press releases to East Wing Magazine at jtaylor@eastwingmagazine.com.