WASHINGTON, D.C. — First Lady Melania Trump stood alongside President Donald J. Trump in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:52 AM EDT, for the signing of S.146, the “TAKE IT DOWN” Act. This bipartisan legislation marks a historic step in protecting children and families from online extortion and exploitation, targeting the non-consensual distribution of intimate images and deepfake abuse.
A cornerstone of the First Lady’s BE BEST initiative, the bill passed Congress within the first 100 days of the second Trump Administration, highlighting an early legislative triumph. “Today, through the ‘TAKE IT DOWN’ Act, we affirm that the well-being of our children is central to the future of our families and America. I am proud to say that the values of BE BEST will be reflected in the law of the land,” Mrs. Trump stated during the ceremony.
President Trump praised his wife’s leadership, saying, “I want to thank Melania for your leadership on this very important issue. America is blessed to have such a dedicated and compassionate First Lady.” He concluded his remarks by noting, “Working with our First Lady, we’ve shown that bipartisanship is still possible.”
The legislation’s journey began in March 2025, when Mrs. Trump hosted a Capitol Hill roundtable, uniting survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery, families, online protection advocates, and lawmakers to spotlight the issue. The President reinforced its urgency in his subsequent Address to a Joint Session of Congress. Mrs. Trump and her office remained actively involved, engaging with the House Energy and Commerce Committee and supporting its passage in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The “TAKE IT DOWN” Act criminalizes the sharing of non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes, and mandates that online platforms remove such content promptly upon a victim’s request. It also includes safeguards for good-faith actors like law enforcement and medical professionals, while preserving free speech rights.
During her prepared remarks, Mrs. Trump highlighted the emotional toll of online exploitation, crediting survivors like Elliston Berry for their courage in driving change. She thanked bipartisan congressional leaders, including Speaker Johnson, Senators Cruz and Klobuchar, and Representatives Salazar, Dean, and Guthrie, for prioritizing the issue. Mrs. Trump emphasized that the law is just the beginning, urging the Federal Trade Commission and private sector to take further action.
The signing ceremony was attended by survivors, their families, Members of Congress, Cabinet officials, and advocates who championed the bill’s passage.
