Melania Trump made her first public remarks of President Donald Trump's second term on Monday, appearing on Capitol Hill to support legislation aimed at banning non-consensual intimate images, including revenge porn and AI-generated deepfakes.
The "TAKE IT DOWN" Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), has bipartisan backing and recently passed in the Senate. The bill would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery and require social media platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of notification from victims.
"In today's AI-driven world, the threat of privacy breaches is alarmingly high," Melania said during a roundtable discussion. "As organizations harness the power of our data, the risk of unauthorized access and misuse of personal information escalates. We must prioritize robust security measures and uphold strict ethical standards to protect individual privacy."
The first lady, 54, criticized what she saw as a lack of Democratic attendance at the event, despite the bill's bipartisan support. "I was heartened to learn that Senator Cruz and Senator Klobuchar unified to prioritize this fundamental matter," she said. "I must admit, however, I expected to see more Democrat leaders with us here today to address this serious issue. Surely as adults, we can prioritize America's children ahead of partisan politics."
The roundtable, which included lawmakers and advocacy groups, highlighted the rise of deepfake pornography, which has targeted high-profile figures such as Taylor Swift and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), as well as concerns over child pornography and cyber harassment. In December, two students at a Pennsylvania private school were charged with 59 counts of child sexual abuse offenses for distributing deepfake images of their classmates.
"The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families, and communities," Melania stated. "Addressing this issue is essential for fostering a safe and supportive environment for our young people."
She emphasized the damage caused to young people, particularly girls, who become victims of AI-generated content. "It's heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content, like deepfakes. This toxic environment can be severely damaging. We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape."
The bill was initially set to become law in 2023, as part of a broader spending package. However, Donald Trump and Elon Musk opposed the overall bill, leading to its failure and the need for a separate vote on the legislation. The Senate has since passed a new version, with efforts now focused on gaining approval in the Republican-controlled House.
After 59 minutes of discussion, Melania remained at the event for an additional 10 minutes, greeting attendees before departing, according to a White House pool report.
Monday's appearance marked a rare political engagement for the first lady, who has largely avoided public appearances in Washington since Inauguration Day. A political source told PEOPLE that Melania has split her time between the White House and Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
"She leads her own life and joins him when appropriate in either place," the source said, adding that the first lady has "her own ideas on what she wants to do."
Melania has also been working on a documentary for Amazon Prime about her life, directed by Brett Ratner, which is scheduled for release in late 2025. "Melania has been busy shooting her documentary, and that has taken place in several locations, including the White House," a Miami-based political source told PEOPLE.
Unlike her husband, Melania has generally preferred to stay out of politics, with sources stating that she "couldn't care less" about how she is perceived politically. However, her advocacy for children's issues-including cyber safety and online protection-has been one of the few areas where she has taken an active role.
On Tuesday, she is expected to attend President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, marking another rare public appearance in her role as first lady.
