First Lady Melania Trump is set to make her public address on Monday, marking her first remarks since her husband assumed office. Her focus will be on supporting the “TAKE IT DOWN” Act, which aims to combat deepfake pornography and revenge porn, acts of non-consensual sharing of sexual images. This legislation was introduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, with bipartisan backing, to make it a criminal offence to publish intimate imagery without consent, including AI-generated content.
Melania’s participation in a Capitol Hill roundtable discussion signifies her commitment to raising awareness about this significant issue. The push for the bill comes after numerous instances of high-profile individuals, including celebrities like Taylor Swift and political figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have been victimised by such invasive imagery.
The bill, which garnered bipartisan support but failed to pass the House in the last congressional session, is being reintroduced with Senator Cruz joined by lawmakers like Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Madeleine Dean, with the First Lady now advocating for its advancement. Melania previously championed online safety during her husband’s first term through her “Be Best” initiative and expressed her intention to tackle “new issues”, showing ongoing concern for the welfare of children and families affected by these violations.
Since her husband’s inauguration, Melania Trump has maintained a low profile in Washington, balancing her time between her roles as a mother and First Lady. Despite her limited presence in the capital, she has indicated her dedication to being involved in significant events and priorities.
With her discussions of online safety and advocacy for victims of online harassment, Melania Trump aims to educate and support those affected by these issues, reaffirming her commitment to serve the public in her role as First Lady while also attending to her family duties.