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The First Lady added, “Through this critical legislation and our continued focus with ‘Be Best,’ we are building a future where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who introduced the bill, highlighted the very real threat posed by AI-generated pornography. He cited the chilling case of Elliston Berry, a teenage girl victimized by deepfake porn, to emphasize why swift action was necessary.
“It protects young girls and young women, and it’s a huge bipartisan victory that we’re winning tonight,” Cruz told ABC News.
The new law will make it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish intimate images of someone — real or fabricated — without their clear consent. The focus is squarely on those who intend to harm their victims, especially using AI-manipulated content to humiliate or intimidate.
The legislation brings serious teeth: violators targeting adults can face up to two years behind bars, while crimes involving minors carry penalties of up to three years in prison.
Beyond criminal charges, the bill also places fresh accountability on tech platforms. Companies like Facebook, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat — often criticized for turning a blind eye — will now be legally required to offer a takedown process for victims. Once a valid report is filed, platforms must remove illicit content within 48 hours or risk facing action from the Federal Trade Commission.
To encourage compliance, companies acting in good faith to remove flagged content will enjoy liability protection. Big Tech has surprisingly backed the bill, calling it a “balanced” measure that protects users without choking free expression.
Not everyone, however, was on board. Only two Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Eric Burlison (R-MO) — voted against the legislation.
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Massie voiced sharp concerns about potential government overreach, warning of slippery slopes ahead.
“I’m voting NO because I feel this is a slippery slope, ripe for abuse, with unintended consequences,” Massie explained. He noted that the bill “would impose federal criminal and civil penalties for publishing unauthorized intimate pictures generated with AI.”
Despite the handful of dissenters, Melania Trump’s legislative triumph marks a decisive moment for safeguarding America’s youth against a terrifying new frontier of digital exploitation. It’s a powerful reminder that under the Trump leadership, protecting children remains a top priority — with action to back up the promises.
