Trump signs bipartisan ‘Take It Down Act’ in Rose Garden as Melania leads charge against online abuse

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump appeared together in the White House Rose Garden on Monday for the signing of the Take It Down Act, a landmark bipartisan law requiring social media platforms to swiftly remove non-consensual sexually explicit images — including AI-generated deepfakes — within 48 hours of notification, the New York Times reported.

The bill, which passed the House 409 to 2, is one of the most decisive bipartisan victories of Trump’s second term. Its journey to law has been led quietly but forcefully by Melania Trump, who re-entered Washington’s policy fray this year with a focus on protecting minors from digital exploitation.

Melania revives 'Be Best' with new mission

“This law protects our children and the dignity of all people online,” the first lady said, standing in front of a bloom of pink roses. “Artificial Intelligence and social media are the digital candy for the next generation — sweet, addictive and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children. But unlike sugar, these new technologies can be weaponised, shape beliefs and, sadly, affect emotions and even be deadly.”

The legislation builds on her former “Be Best” initiative, revived during Trump’s second term with a sharper focus on AI harm, online bullying, and digital exploitation.

Melania had been quietly advocating for the bill since Trump’s second inauguration, after Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) mentioned the issue during an inaugural luncheon. The act gained momentum after a Capitol Hill roundtable hosted by the first lady in March, where she met with victims of online abuse and their families. Some of them joined her in the House chamber the next day as President Trump mentioned the bill during his address to Congress.

A bipartisan breakthrough

The Take It Down Act was introduced by Klobuchar and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and quickly gained traction in both chambers. It mandates that online platforms remove sexually explicit content posted without consent, including deepfakes, within two days once notified — or face penalties.

“This is the first time I’ve seen such a level of bipartisanship,” Trump said at the signing. “It’s a beautiful thing. I’m not even sure you realise, honey, a lot of the Democrats and Republicans don’t get along so well. You’ve made them get along.”

The president shared a lighthearted moment about a call earlier in the day with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying: “Putin just said, ‘They respect your wife a lot.’ I said, ‘What about me?’ No, they like Melania better.” The crowd laughed, and Trump added, “I’m OK with it.”

An unprecedented moment for Melania

In one of her most high-profile moments since returning to the White House, Melania sat beside the president as he signed the bill into law — and then, at his urging, added her own signature with the signing pen. “Come on, sign it anyway. She deserves to sign it,” he said.

Melania's choice to re-engage publicly in Washington has been rare and deliberate, making Monday’s event both symbolically and politically significant. For Trump, it marked a brief departure from the partisan battles of his presidency — and for Melania, a defining moment in her advocacy for digital safety.

“This is about putting people over politics,” she said. “And protecting the future of our children.”