Melania Trump Addresses Online Abuse and Revenge Porn at Capitol Hill Roundtable

Melania Trump Addresses Online Abuse and Revenge Porn at Capitol Hill Roundtable

First Lady Melania Trump took to Capitol Hill for the first time since returning to the White House. She joined lawmakers from both parties for a roundtable focused on tackling online abuse and the pervasive issue of revenge pornography.

“I am here with you today with a common goal to protect our youth from online harm,” Melania Trump stated at the gathering. She emphasized the alarming rise of abusive behavior in the digital realm, which impacts children, families, and communities every day.

She further highlighted the significance of addressing these issues, stating, “It is essential for fostering a safe and supportive environment for our young people.” The First Lady voiced her hope that the roundtable would enhance awareness about the dangers posed by nonconsensual intimate imagery and expedite the passage of the Take It Down Act in Congress.

Understanding the Take It Down Act

The Take It Down Act is a legislative measure introduced in the Senate by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar. This bipartisan bill aims to make it a federal offense to distribute or threaten to distribute nonconsensual intimate imagery, including those generated by artificial intelligence.

Having passed the Senate unanimously earlier in 2025, Cruz expressed optimism that the House will also approve it soon. He emphasized that the proposed law would impose penalties of up to three years in prison for sharing nonconsensual images involving minors, while offenses involving adults could yield prison terms of up to two years.

Accountability for Social Media Platforms

The legislation mandates social media companies, such as Snapchat and TikTok, to have systems in place to remove harmful content within 48 hours of receiving a valid notice from a victim. Representative Maria Salazar and Representative Madeleine Dean introduced similar legislation in the House, which is currently under review by the Energy and Commerce Committees.

During the roundtable, Salazar underscored the urgency of the bill. She asserted that Big Tech must respond quickly to remove harmful images, stating, “No more excuses. If not, then Big Tech will be just as guilty as the aggressors.”

The Growing Threat of Artificial Intelligence

Melania Trump spotlighted the pressing concerns related to AI-generated images, commonly referred to as deepfakes. These digital forgeries often manipulate videos or photos to create unauthorized explicit content. The issue first gained widespread attention in 2017, leading to significant discussions about the implications of AI on personal privacy.

In her remarks, the First Lady warned, “In today’s AI-driven world, the threat of privacy breaches is alarmingly high. We must prioritize robust security measures to protect individual privacy from exploitation.”

With several states having established laws against the distribution of nonconsensual intimate images, the varying degrees of penalties highlight a pressing need for nationwide consistency.

Overcoming Victimization in a Digital Age

Senator Cruz, who has been vocal about the impact of revenge porn on victims, remarked that such violations often leave lasting scars. He noted that many victims, particularly young girls, face enduring psychological damage as they struggle to navigate the fallout from malicious online content.

Highlighting emotional trauma, Cruz shared, “If you’re a victim of revenge porn or AI-generated explicit imagery, your life changes forever. Most likely, you’ve been targeted by someone you know.” He pointed out that many such victims are teenagers in high schools, enduring significant psychological harm.

Victims Share Their Stories

During the roundtable, Melania Trump was accompanied by Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old victim of nonconsensual imagery created using AI. Berry recounted her distressing experience and impressed upon the audience the urgent need for legislative changes.

She stated, “I felt responsible and began to blame myself. Despite doing nothing wrong, I was ashamed to tell my parents.” This sentiment resonated deeply as she urged lawmakers to hold tech companies accountable for their role in these violations.

Another young speaker, Francesca Mani, also highlighted her ordeal with deepfake imagery, emphasizing the need for schools to take significant measures against such abuses, stating, “Teenagers might not know all the laws, but they do know when something is wrong.”

Addressing a Broader Issue

The consequences of sharing nonconsensual and AI-generated explicit material do not solely affect young women. Individuals of all genders face similar dangers. Breeze Liu shared her harrowing experience, revealing how AI-generated images of her circulated on pornography sites without her consent.

Representative Brandon Guffey shared a personal tragedy, recounting the devastating loss of his son, who took his life after being ensnared in an online extortion scheme. His poignant story emphasizes the crucial need for action.

Seeking Legislative Solutions Together

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, House Speaker Mike Johnson thanked the brave witnesses who shared their stories, acknowledging the importance of addressing such pressing societal issues. He emphasized the urgency of advancing the bill to ensure a safer online environment for future generations.

Melania Trump reiterated the need for unified action, stating, “As first lady, my commitment to the ‘Be Best’ initiative underscores the importance of online safety. We must safeguard our children from the hurtful and malicious behaviors they encounter in the digital realm.”

While Melania Trump acknowledged the contributions of bipartisan support for the Take It Down Act, she expressed disappointment at the low turnout from Democratic leaders at the event. She called for a collective commitment to prioritizing the well-being of America’s children above partisan politics.

Taking a Stand for Victims

As the roundtable concluded, Melania Trump highlighted the Take It Down Act as a crucial step toward justice and healing for victims of online abuse. She remarked, “Congress can take an important step toward accountability and responsible online behavior. This legislation represents a powerful stride toward justice, healing, and unity.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.