U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed the Take It Down Act into law, making the publication of revenge porn a federal crime. The legislation, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, criminalizes the intentional distribution of explicit images—whether real or AI-generated without the subject’s consent.
At a Rose Garden signing ceremony, Trump highlighted the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes, particularly those targeting women. “With the rise of AI image generation, countless women have been harassed with deepfakes and other explicit images distributed against their will,” he said. “Today, we’re making it totally illegal.”
Under the new law, offenders could face up to three years in prison. The bill also mandates that websites remove reported explicit content within 48 hours of notification or face civil penalties. The legislation represents one of the most comprehensive federal efforts to regulate digital exploitation and privacy violations.
First Lady Melania Trump, who has largely stayed out of the public eye since the beginning of her husband’s term, made a rare appearance to endorse the bill. She called it a “national victory” and emphasized the need to protect children and families from online exploitation.
Experts and advocates hailed the law as a significant step forward. Renee Cummings, an AI ethicist at the University of Virginia, called the bill a “significant step” in protecting individuals from exploitation, while emphasizing the importance of rigorous enforcement.
The law arrives amid a surge in AI-enabled pornography scandals, including deepfakes targeting teenagers in schools across several states. While public figures like Taylor Swift and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been victims, experts warn that everyday individuals are equally vulnerable.
However, not all feedback has been positive. The Electronic Frontier Foundation raised concerns about potential overreach, suggesting the law could empower authorities to stifle lawful speech.
Still, for many families affected by revenge porn, the bill offers newfound hope. “Now I have a legal weapon in my hand,” said Dorota Mani, a mother of a young victim. “Nobody can say no to it.”
