First Lady Melania Trump was rarely released on Capitol Hill on Monday, pushing for a bipartisan bill aimed at combating revenge porn and deepfark sex images.
The former supermodel spoke about the horrors of deep-fark porn images that drive artificial intelligence swirling online, calling Democrats for not more publicly endorsing the proposed Take It Down Act.
“It's heartbreaking to see some teenagers, especially girls, tackling the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content,” the 54-year-old First Lady said during a panel session with lawmakers.
“It was encouraging to learn that [GOP] Senator [Ted] Cruz [of Texas] and [Dem] Senator [Amy] Klobuchar [of Minnesota] We've come together to prioritize this fundamental issue,” she said. “But I have to admit, I was hoping to see more Democrats.[ic] We are here today with us to address this serious problem.
“As adults, we can prioritize American children prior to partisan politics.”
Usually in the spotlight, Melania previously spoke to members of Congress about the country's foster care system during her husband's final semester.
After her husband's 2024 election victory, the First Lady revives her “Be Best” initiative.
The proposed Take It Down Act, introduced by Cruz (R-Texas) and co-hosted by Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in the Senate, requires a website with user-generated content with a “notification and takedown process” for deepfake porn.
Websites containing social media platforms will take two days to remove such content after being notified by the victim. The law also enhances protection for victims who share sexual images without consent.
An assailant who shares sexually explicit, non-consensual images, including both real and AI-generated ones, could face up to three years behind the bar if the material is a minor, if the victim is an adult.
“By advocating this bill, Congress can take important steps to ensure accountability and promote online action responsibly,” Melania said. “The Take It Down Act represents the first step towards justice, healing and unity.”
Last month, the Senate unanimously passed the bill by voice vote, and House Republican leaders are planning to move it into the lower room.
“If you're a victim of explicit images generated by vengeance porn or AI, your life will change forever,” said Cruz, 54, who have two daughters during the roundtable event.
“Obviously, many of these victims are American high school teenagers,” he said.
Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FLA.) and Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.) introduced fellow laws in the House.
Those who participated in First Lady during Monday's panel session included Salazar and fellow replies. RoKhanna (D-Calif.), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Republican Conference Lisa McClain (R-Lisa McClain).
“I represent Silicon Valley,” said Kanna, 48, during the session. “The US should lead to ensure that technology protects children and protects people. And I think this bill balances the concerns of Senator Cruz's free speech on protection, just like you created it.”
The lawmakers also heard from several victims of Deepfark Porn.
Cruz recounted how law inspiration came from 14-year-old Texas Ellistonbury, where a male classmate posted her online sleazy deepfake images.
“That afternoon, I relied on the office staff. 'I want them to get Snapchat CEO over the phone today. I want them to have pictures of them today.” Within two hours, they'll pull them down,” he recalled.
“Sitting senators and congressional seat members should not pick up phones and take photos or down videos. That should be the right that every American, every teenage girl has been victimized.”
Berry recalls the horrifying experience of seeing sexually explicit images artificially generated from her own past Instagram photos.
“I felt responsible, started blaming myself and felt embarrassed to tell my parents, even though nothing was wrong,” she said. “I lived because I was afraid of that [the fake images] It will resurface. ”
Most states already have existing laws in their books to combat revenge porn, but the exact rules and penalties differ.
Many notable women, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and pop icon Taylor Swift, were victims of deepfake porn.
