President Trump publicly joked that Melania might “take his job” after her bipartisan revenge‑porn bill passed Congress with near‑total support and was signed into law.
At a Glance
- President Trump praised Melania’s legislative win on revenge porn, joking she could replace him in office.
- The Take It Down Act criminalizes non-consensual sharing of intimate or AI-generated explicit images.
- The bill passed the Senate unanimously and cleared the House 409–2 before Trump signed it into law.
- Platforms are now required to remove flagged content within 48 hours or face penalties.
- The First Lady led advocacy for the measure through her Be Best anti-cyberbullying campaign.
Melania’s Legislative Moment
The Take It Down Act marks the most aggressive federal response yet to deepfake abuse and digital exploitation. Co-authored by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, the bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent in February and sailed through the House 409–2 in April.
At the urging of First Lady Melania Trump, who relaunched her Be Best initiative in March to confront AI-enabled harassment, the White House backed the legislation enthusiastically. Melania described victims’ stories as “heartbreaking” and called the law a necessary safeguard for vulnerable communities, particularly minors.
Watch a report: President Trump and First Lady Announce Revenge‑Porn Law.
The Bill’s Impact
Under the new law, any platform hosting intimate content must remove flagged material within 48 hours of notification. Repeat violations—especially those involving minors—may result in civil or criminal penalties.
The legislation also expands authority for the Federal Trade Commission to oversee enforcement and creates a secure submission system for victims. Despite its bipartisan support, civil liberties groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation have raised concerns about overreach, warning that unclear language could suppress lawful expression or be misused by overzealous enforcers.
Public and Political Fallout
President Trump, during the June 12 Congressional Picnic, remarked, “When I saw that bill passed bipartisan, I said, ‘You know, I think you’re going to take my job, Melania,’” according to event coverage. While said in jest, the moment sparked speculation about Melania’s future role in politics.
With the 2028 election cycle already forming on the horizon, her unprecedented advocacy victory has prompted chatter in GOP circles about a potential candidacy—or at least a sustained policy role in the administration.
