Recently, Melania Trump found herself at the center of a controversy. She did something no other First Lady has done before: she personally signed a piece of legislation, sparking a debate over protocol.
The event took place on Monday, May 19, when President Donald Trump officially signed the Take It Down Act into law. The bill had been a significant focus for Melania since March, explicitly aiming to curb the distribution of non-consensual explicit images, including AI-generated deepfakes and ‘revenge porn.’ The law now makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to release such content.
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During the ceremony, Melania added her signature to the bill. This action was ceremonial, as only elected officials can provide a legally binding signature. Her involvement was encouraged by President Trump, who said, “Come on, sign it anyway. She deserves to sign it.” He praised her efforts by saying, “Honey, you’ve done amazing. When I first heard about the bill, I thought it sounded tough, but you got it done. Congratulations.”
A National Victory for Online Safety
Melania described the act as a “national victory” focused on protecting children from online threats. She commented, “AI and social media are like digital candy—sweet, addictive, and designed to impact kids’ cognitive development. But unlike sugar, these tools can be weaponized, shaping minds, affecting emotions, and sometimes leading to tragedy.”
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The Take It Down Act mandates that websites and social media platforms must quickly remove offending content within 48 hours after a victim makes a request. These platforms are also required to implement measures to prevent the material from appearing again.
However, Melania’s involvement in the signing ceremony has stirred criticism, particularly on social media.
Voices on X (formerly Twitter) expressed their dismay. “Trump encouraged Melania, who has no constitutional authority, to sign legislation at a White House event,” one user pointed out.
Debate Over Double Standards
The unusual move led others to question whether there’s a double standard regarding First Ladies’ roles. “Why is Melania Trump signing laws? Imagine the outrage if Dr. Jill Biden had done the same,” remarked another online observer.
Another questioned the legality and significance of her signature, wondering if it held any official power. “Does her signature even count?” they asked.
Players in the political sphere, upon imagining an analogous situation with Joe and Jill Biden, speculated on the reaction from different political groups. “They’d be screaming corruption if this were Jill Biden!” one person commented.
Despite the debate, President Trump stood by the law, underscoring its necessity in today’s digital age. “Countless women have been targeted with deepfakes and other abusive images,” he asserted. “Now, it’s officially illegal.”
