US First Lady Backs Deepfake Porn Bill

On 3 March, US First Lady Melania Trump lent her support to the Take It Down Act, a bill designed to protect Americans from deepfake revenge pornography, marking her first solo public appearance since her husband's return to the White House.

During a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill, she emphasized the importance of the bill, which criminalises the non-consensual online distribution of intimate imagery, including AI-generated content.

Seated next to two teenage female victims of deepfake porn, she told the panel:

"In today's AI-driven world, the threat of privacy breaches is alarming and high. It's heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content."

Introduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, the legislation mandates that social media platforms and websites establish swift procedures to remove such content upon notification from victims.

While the bill has passed the Senate, it still faces hurdles in the House of Representatives.

Melania called for bipartisan backing and took aim at Democrats for not prioritising its passage.

She said:

"I expected to see more Democrat leaders with us here today to address this serious issue. Surely as adults, we can prioritize American children ahead of partisan politics."

Deepfakes Rising Faster Than Regulations

The rise of non-consensual deepfakes, fueled by the proliferation of AI tools such as photo apps that digitally undress women, is outpacing efforts to regulate the technology globally.

While a few US states, including California and Florida, have enacted laws criminalising sexually explicit deepfakes, advocates are urging Congress to pass comprehensive legislation, such as the Take It Down Act, to address the growing problem.

Although high-profile figures like singer Taylor Swift have been victims of deepfake pornography, experts highlight that women outside the public eye are equally at risk.

AI-driven scandals have surged in schools across the US, from California to New Jersey, where hundreds of teenagers—often targeted by their peers—are affected.

Such non-consensual content can lead to harassment, bullying, and blackmail, with severe mental health consequences.

In response to these troubling developments, the FBI issued a warning last year about the illegality of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

The first lady noted:

"In an era where digital interactions are integral to daily life, it is imperative that we safeguard children from mean-spirited and hurtful online behavior."

This issue was at the forefront of a roundtable discussion that marked Melania Trump's first solo public engagement since her husband's return to the White House.

The First Lady, who has remained largely out of the public eye since January, received praise from President Trump for her participation in the event on Truth Social.