First lady Melania Trump looks on as President Donald Trump greets guests durning the White House Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 21, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
It specifically prohibits online publication of "intimate visual depictions" of an adult subject "where publication is intended to cause or does cause harm to the subject, and where the depiction was published without the subject’s consent or, in the case of an authentic depiction, was created or obtained under circumstances where the adult had a reasonable expectation of privacy," as well as "a minor subject where publication is intended to abuse or harass the minor or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person."
"Violators are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including prison, a fine, or both," according to the bill summary. "Threats to publish intimate visual depictions of a subject are similarly prohibited under the bill and subject to criminal penalties."
The legislation also requires platforms to establish a process where victims of revenge porn can notify them of the existence of images and request removal. The bill says platforms then have 48 hours to remove those images.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced the TAKE IT DOWN Act in January, and it was approved by the upper chamber in February. It was brought to the House by Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla.
FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP OPENS WHITE HOUSE GARDENS TO ALL AMERICANS
First lady Melania Trump arrived to Capitol Hill to urge the passage of the Take It Down Act by Senate to protects victims of real and deepfake "revenge pornography" by criminalizing their publication on March 3, 2025. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
"Advancing this legislation has been a key focus since I returned to my role as First Lady this past January," Melania Trump wrote on X. "I am honored to have contributed to guiding it through Congress. By safeguarding children from hurtful online behavior today, we take a vital step in nurturing our leaders of tomorrow. #BeBest"
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During President Trump’s first term, the first lady established the BE BEST awareness campaign, which "focused on the well-being of children and highlighted the people and programs dedicated to ensuring a better future for the next generation," according to the White House. Melania Trump also established Fostering the Future, a BE BEST initiative, "which provides college-level scholarships to those aging out of the foster care system."
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/revenge-porn-bill-backed-melania-trump-heads-presidents-desk-after-overwhelming-house-vote