NEW: Melania Trump Scores Huge Legislative Victory

After a prolonged wait, victims of revenge porn and AI deepfakes have finally found a champion in Melania Trump.

For years, the First Lady has advocated for Congressional action regarding non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), which involves the photographing and/or distribution of images of another individual, typically a sexual partner, without their consent. Advocates argue that a 2022 bill signed into law by President Joe Biden fell short in providing adequate protections for victims, leaving them vulnerable to expensive litigation.

However, on Monday, a federal standard for criminal prosecution was enacted to penalize those who engage in revenge porn, AI deepfakes, and other forms of NCII. During a signing ceremony held in the Rose Garden, Melania expressed her heartfelt sentiments regarding her discussions with victims of this harmful practice and the tragic losses of individuals who took their own lives after being betrayed by former partners.

“Artificial Intelligence and social media represent the digital allure for the upcoming generation: enticing, addictive, and designed to influence the cognitive growth of our youth,” the First Lady remarked. “Yet, unlike sugar, these emerging technologies can be weaponized, shape perceptions, and, regrettably, impact emotions, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.”

She specifically mentioned Elliston Berry, a 14-year-old girl from Texas who was present and whose plight received national media coverage after male classmates utilized AI to fabricate deepfake images of her naked.

Melania also expressed her gratitude to her husband for his efforts in guiding the legislation through a Congress controlled by the GOP. Despite this achievement for President Donald Trump, nearly all Democrats in the U.S. House supported its passage.

This bipartisan legislation was conceived by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who, despite their differences on most issues, united for the benefit of children and young adults who are most impacted by NCII offenses.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Melania for her leadership on this crucial matter,” Trump stated prior to enacting the bill into law. “America is fortunate to have such a devoted and empathetic first lady.”

In reference to a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier that day, Trump humorously remarked, “We just spent two and a half hours conversing with Vladimir Putin, and I believe some progress has been achieved. … We also communicated with the leaders of most European nations… Putin mentioned that they hold your wife in high regard. I responded, ‘What about me?’ They prefer Melania over me.”

“That wasn’t favorable. I’m uncertain if that was a positive thing. I’m fine with it,” the president remarked, eliciting modest laughter.

Becoming more solemn, Trump reflected on how deeply he was moved by the accounts of victims.

“Upon learning about the experiences of numerous women affected, our first lady prioritized the cessation of these abuses,” he stated.

As reported by the Western Journal, the law’s provisions include penalties of up to three years in prison for anyone who knowingly disseminates NCII without the subject’s consent. Furthermore, third-party pornography websites are required to remove offending images and videos within 48 hours of being notified by a victim or face civil penalties.

In 2022, President Biden enacted new protections for NCII victims, allowing them to sue such third-party sites; however, advocates have since expressed concerns that the measure was insufficient given the high costs associated with litigating against corporate pornography entities.

Accompanying Trump’s official signature on the bill is that of the First Lady.

He remarked, “She deserves to sign it.”

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