WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — First lady Melania Trump pushed for legislation to protect American children from AI-generated “deepfakes” and revenge pornography in her first solo public event since returning to the White House.
“The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families and communities,” she said Monday during a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill. “It’s heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content like deepfakes.”
“This toxic environment can be severely damaging. We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape. Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themself freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm,” the first lady added.
Deepfakes — which are deceptive videos, images or audio recordings powered by artificial intelligence — have proliferated online. A study by the nonprofit Thorn found that 1 out of 8 young people personally knew someone who has been the target of a deepfake pornographic image.
More than a month into her second tenure as first lady, Trump joined half a dozen lawmakers — including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas — to discuss the Take It Down Act.
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Cruz and Democratic Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, would criminalize the “publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated NCII (or ‘deepfake revenge pornography’)” and require social media and other websites to “place procedures to remove NCII, pursuant to a valid request from a victim,” according to a press release.
If the legislation were to pass, websites would be required to remove deepfake pornography of children within 48 hours of being notified by the victim.
The first lady admitted Monday that she had hoped to see more visible Democratic support for the bill.
“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,” she said. “I urge Congress to prioritize the passage of the Take It Down Act. This legislation is essential for addressing the growing concerns related to online safety, protecting individual rights, and promoting a healthier digital environment.”
Trump has vowed to expand her commitment to her “Be Best” campaign, which aims to teach children online safety.
The East Wing said Melania Trump will travel back to Capitol Hill tomorrow for President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. She has invited Elliston Berry, a Texas high school student who was a victim of deepfake revenge pornography, to watch the address with her from the first lady’s viewing box.
