Trump Signs Landmark Bill Criminalizing ‘Revenge Porn,’ Including AI-Generated Deepfakes

President Donald Trump has signed into law the Take It Down Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that makes it a federal crime to share intimate images of a person without their consent — including those generated by artificial intelligence. The bill, which gained overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress, was officially signed at the White House on Monday, May 19, 2025.

The law addresses the growing threat of “revenge porn,” a term used to describe the distribution of sexually explicit material without the subject’s consent. Increasingly, this practice has expanded beyond real photos to include deepfakes — hyper-realistic fake images and videos created using AI technology, often targeting women and public figures.

“With the rise of AI image generation, countless women have been harassed with deepfakes and other explicit images distributed against their will,” Trump said during the signing ceremony. “This is wrong—just so horribly wrong. It’s a very abusive situation, and today we’re making it totally illegal.”

The Take It Down Act imposes federal criminal penalties on anyone who publishes intimate content without consent, regardless of whether the material is authentic or AI-generated. It also requires social media platforms and online service providers to remove flagged content within 48 hours of a verified request from victims.

Melania Trump’s Advocacy

First Lady Melania Trump played a key role in advancing the legislation. During the signing ceremony, she described the act as a “powerful step forward” in protecting Americans from online abuse.

“Every American, especially young people, should feel secure in knowing that their image and identity cannot be used against them,” she said.

Melania, who had previously led campaigns against cyberbullying, returned to the spotlight with a renewed focus on digital safety and privacy after her husband’s reelection.

A Rare Moment of Unity

In a deeply divided political environment, the Take It Down Act represents a rare moment of consensus. Lawmakers from both parties agreed that the unchecked spread of intimate and doctored images posed a growing public threat.

Senator Maria Gonzalez (D-CA), who co-sponsored the bill, called the legislation “long overdue.”

“Too many lives have been shattered by this kind of abuse,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “We are finally giving victims the tools they need to fight back.”

Several victims’ rights groups and anti-harassment organizations also praised the bill, calling it a “watershed moment” for digital safety.

Privacy Concerns Raised

Despite widespread support, the legislation has drawn criticism from some digital rights and free speech advocates, who argue that its provisions may unintentionally threaten online freedom and user privacy.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) expressed concern that the law’s strict removal deadlines and broad language could result in the over-censorship of legal content, such as satire, political commentary, or journalistic reporting.

“The 48-hour takedown requirement could lead to platforms relying on automated filters to avoid legal risks,” the EFF said in a statement. “These systems are notoriously prone to errors, meaning lawful content could be flagged and removed unjustly.”

Smaller platforms, the EFF warned, may be especially vulnerable, as they may lack the resources to verify takedown requests quickly and accurately.

A Balancing Act

The Take It Down Act represents a complex balancing act between protecting victims of image-based abuse and preserving digital freedoms. While the law introduces vital protections in the age of AI manipulation and online harassment, its enforcement and interpretation will likely remain subjects of legal and technological scrutiny.

Still, for victims of non-consensual image sharing — whether by a vengeful ex-partner or anonymous trolls using AI tools — the bill is a significant victory.

“This law won’t undo the harm already done to so many people,” said Karen Little, director of a nonprofit helping revenge porn victims. “But it sends a clear message: You can’t weaponize someone’s image anymore and get away with it.”

As AI tools continue to evolve and blur the line between real and fake, the Take It Down Act may become a crucial legal foundation for defining digital consent and protecting personal identity in the years ahead.