President Trump isn’t the only member of his family making news on Monday. In addition to the president delivering remarks on an Arizona chip manufacturing facility, the implementation of tariffs against Canada, China, and Mexico, and the ongoing situation involving Ukraine and Russia, First Lady Melania Trump made her way to Capitol Hill Monday afternoon to participate in a roundtable discussion with Members of Congress to advocate for “anti-revenge porn” legislation.
Melania Trump is heading to Capitol Hill on Monday for a roundtable discussion with members of Congress and others on a bill that could make it a federal crime to post intimate imagery online without an individual’s consent and help require the swift removal of such content.
It will be her first solo public appearance since she resumed the role of first lady on Jan. 20.
The “Take It Down Act,” sponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., passed the Senate in February. Melania Trump’s public show of support for the legislation could help get it through the Republican-controlled House and to President Donald Trump’s desk to become law.
Melania Trump arrived at the Capitol in her signature style.
The First Lady addressed members of both chambers in support of the legislation.
Trump was joined by California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, alongside Republicans such as Cruz, House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, Reps. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., Kevin Hern, R-Okla.
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Below is an excerpt of Mrs. Trump’s remarks:
“I’m here with you today with a common goal: to protect our youth from online harm. The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families, and communities. Addressing this issue is essential for fostering a safe and supportive environment for our young people. I hope today’s roundtable builds awareness of the harm caused by nonconsensual intimate imagery and, eventually, the approval of the ‘Take It Down Act’ bill in Congress.
“In today’s AI-driven world, the threat of privacy breaches is alarmingly high. As organizations harness the power of our data, the risk of unauthorized access and misuses of personal information escalates. We must prioritize robust security measures and uphold strict ethical standards to protect individual privacy.
“As First Lady, my commitment to the Be Best initiative underscores the importance of online safety. In an era where digital interactions are integral to daily life, it is imperative that we safeguard children from mean-spirited and hurtful online behavior. Ensuring their protection is not just a responsibility but a vital step in nurturing tomorrow’s leaders.”
Mrs. Trump thanked the congressional members in attendance for their dedication to the cause. She did, however, note that while she was heartened by Cruz and Klobuchar’s co-sponsoring of the measure, she “expected to see more Democrat leaders with us here today to address this serious issue,” adding, “Surely as adults, we can prioritize America’s children ahead of partisan politics.”
The measure passed the Senate in February. It now awaits further action in the House.
