Trump and his wife Melania addressed the nation from the Rose Garden on Monday (19 May).
Melania Trump has disregarded usual protocol at a major gathering in the White House.
On 19 May, President Donald Trump approved the Take It Down Act, a law focused on penalizing online s.ex.ual abuse that First Lady Melania Trump helped pass through Congress.
It is now a federal crime to knowingly distribute or threaten to distribute intimate pictures, whether they are real or computer-generated, without someone’s consent.
Based on AP News, websites and social media must now take down such content within 48 hours after a victim’s request. They are obligated to take actions to remove any copies of the items they find.
For the first time, Melania Trump also added her name to the bill, praising it as a national achievement that shields children from online threats generated by artificial intelligence.
“AI and social media appeal greatly to the younger generation, but they can change the way our children learn and think,” she added. In contrast to sugar, these technologies can be misused, change what people think and, sadly, influence emotions and even turn deadly.
According to Trump, because of AI images, many women have faced harassment when explicit videos and photos about them appeared online and he stated that it this is very wrong.
It’s not typical for a first lady to sign a bill, but Trump suggested that she sign this one.
“Go ahead and sign it,” the president told his wife, “She has earned it.”
Because Melania wasn’t elected, her signature doesn’t carry any real authority.
Trump talked about how important Melania’s campaigns on the issue are.
He said, “I wanted to say, you have done amazingly,” and then shared that hearing the news: “I thought it looked hard and so important and you got it completed.” Congratulations to you.
Following remarks at the press conference, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump will sign the Take It Down Act in the Rose Garden this afternoon, with the First Lady as his side.
It was largely because of First Lady Melania Trump’s efforts that this legislation was able to pass.
Leavitt went on to say that the bill will guard victims of digital abuse, make internet platforms remove the images and make it possible for prosecutors to prosecute those who share non-consensual, explicit pictures online.
Before this bill was passed, the First Lady talked to people in the House and Senate, with survivors and with supporters.
We are thankful for the efforts and devotion of the First Lady to this cause and as time goes on, she will keep focusing on helping our nation’s children through her Be Best agenda.
The Take It Down Act builds on the Be Best campaign that Melania launched earlier in her husband’s presidency.
The focus of it is on Children’s healthy development, excessive use of social media and opioid abuse.
