President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan Take It Down Act into law on Monday, May 19th, alongside First Lady Melania Trump, who championed the legislation as part of her revived Be Best initiative. The law makes it a federal crime to publish or share nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes and mandates swift removal of such content from digital platforms.
During the Rose Garden signing, Melania Trump called the bill a “national victory.” She added, “Artificial intelligence and social media are the digital candy for the next generation… but unlike sugar, these new technologies can be weaponized.” Trump praised the wide support, joking, “I wish we could get that vote from other things,” referencing the bill’s overwhelming passage—409–2 in the House and unanimous in the Senate.
The law criminalizes the distribution of sexually explicit imagery created or shared without the subject’s consent. It applies to both real and synthetic content and introduces a 48-hour takedown requirement for technology platforms upon receiving a valid request. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, this marks a shift in federal response to online exploitation and privacy violations.
Melania Trump played an active legislative role, meeting with lawmakers and victims’ advocates. She personally thanked Elliston Berry, a teenage survivor of deepfake abuse, whose case drew national attention. Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, co-sponsors of the bill, described the law as an overdue safeguard. Cruz stated, “Predators who weaponize new technology… will now rightfully face criminal consequences.”
Although the law was widely praised, some digital rights groups voiced concern over free speech implications. The Berkman Klein Center highlighted the need for balanced enforcement that distinguishes malicious intent from satire or political commentary. Tech firms, including Meta and Google, supported the law and said they would adapt policies accordingly.
The Take It Down Act empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce compliance, and experts predict the law may become a model for other nations grappling with digital abuse. It reflects growing bipartisan agreement on online safety and privacy, particularly around emerging AI threats. The Congressional Research Service has already categorized the law as a major legislative response to AI-enabled harassment.
