Trump Enacts Groundbreaking Law to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Pornography
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a major new law targeting the misuse of artificial intelligence to create fake explicit content involving real people without their consent.
The legislation, known officially as the “TAKE IT DOWN Act,” makes it a federal crime to knowingly produce or share sexual images or videos generated by AI if the people depicted didn’t agree to it. The law also requires social media platforms, websites, and apps to take down the content within 48 hours of being notified and to provide a straightforward way for people to report it.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sign historic bill (Source: TIMESOFINDIA.COM)
This comes in response to a growing wave of cases involving deepfake pornography—AI-generated content that looks real but is completely fabricated. Women, especially public figures, are frequently targeted.
Melania Trump Leads Push for Stronger Online Protections
First Lady Melania Trump played a leading role in getting the bill passed. She met with lawmakers, hosted a roundtable on Capitol Hill, and spoke out about the emotional damage these fake videos cause.
In a statement, she compared AI and social media to “digital candy” for young people—enticing, addictive, and potentially dangerous. She warned that while these technologies may seem harmless, they can be weaponised to manipulate beliefs, destroy reputations, and cause serious emotional harm. She also said the new law supports the mission of her “Be Best” campaign, which focuses on children’s online wellbeing.
The bill was introduced in 2024 by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar and received strong bipartisan support. It passed both the Senate and House of Representatives in April 2025, and President Trump signed it into law on 19 May.
Speaking at a signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, Trump said the law also punishes the distribution of any AI-generated forgeries used to deceive or damage someone’s reputation—not just sexually explicit ones.
Nations Around the World Move Against Deepfake Abuse
The threat of AI deepfakes has become a global issue. These computer-generated images and videos can place someone’s face onto another person’s body—usually in explicit or compromising situations—with terrifying accuracy. While the technology can be used for harmless entertainment, it has more often been turned into a tool for harassment.
One high-profile incident in early 2024 involved fake nude images of singer Taylor Swift, which spread rapidly across social media. In response, platform X (formerly Twitter) blocked searches of her name temporarily. The public backlash pushed lawmakers to act quickly.
A 2023 report by cybersecurity company Security Hero found that most deepfakes shared online were pornographic, and 99% of those targeted were women. Activists and experts have warned that without legal safeguards, these abuses will only increase.
President Donald Trump at the signing of the TAKE IT DOWN Act (Source: The White House)
The U.S. is now joining countries like the UK, which banned deepfake porn under its Online Safety Act in 2023, and Nigeria, which took even stricter action. In March 2025, Nigerian lawmakers ordered the shutdown of all pornographic websites, directing telecom authorities to enforce the ban across the country.
With the TAKE IT DOWN Act now in place, the U.S. is taking a significant step in tackling AI-fuelled abuse. The law allows prosecutors to press criminal charges, including fines and prison time, against individuals who create or distribute non-consensual deepfake content. Platforms that ignore takedown requests could also face penalties.
At the White House ceremony, President Trump was joined by survivors of deepfake abuse, lawmakers, and digital rights advocates. Many described the law as a long-overdue victory for privacy and dignity in the digital age.
With artificial intelligence continuing to evolve at a rapid pace, the TAKE IT DOWN Act is seen as a crucial first step in setting boundaries—and sending a clear message that technological progress must not come at the cost of human rights.
