Latest news with #BeBest
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Melania Trump didn't sign executive order — here's what she did sign
Claim: In mid-May 2025, U.S. first lady Melania Trump signed an executive order alongside President Donald Trump. Rating: What's True: While Melania Trump signed the Take It Down Act with U.S. President Donald Trump, only the president's signature makes the act law. Melania Trump's signature has no legal authority and is merely symbolic. What's False: Melania Trump did not sign an executive order, but added her signature to a bill passed by the U.S. Congress. An executive order is signed by the president and does not need congressional approval. In mid-May 2025, as U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act — a law that makes it illegal to publish intimate visual depictions of people, both authentic and computer generated, without their consent — many social media users noted that first lady Melania Trump signed the document as well. Snopes received numerous queries from readers who shared several posts and memes claiming the first lady signed an executive order. (X user @thetonymichaels) However, Melania Trump did not sign an executive order. Instead, she signed a document that officially ratified into law a bill that was passed by Congress. The president signed the document first, making the law official, before encouraging her to do so as well. Therefore, Melania Trump's signature was purely symbolic because, as first lady, she has no legislative authority. As such, we have rated this claim as mostly false. According to White House footage and press coverage, the first lady joined the president on May 19, 2025, to sign the Take It Down Act, which she described as part of her "Be Best" initiative that would "help parents and families protect children from online exploitation." The legislation makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish intimate images — including AI-generated deepfakes, described as "digital forgeries" in the bill — without a person's consent. The bill prohibits the online publication of explicit visuals featuring: an adult subject where publication is intended to cause or does cause harm to the subject, and where the depiction was published without the subject's consent or, in the case of an authentic depiction, was created or obtained under circumstances where the adult had a reasonable expectation of privacy; or a minor subject where publication is intended to abuse or harass the minor or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. At the White House event for the signing, the president noted that Melania Trump had ushered the bill forward. After Donald Trump signed the bill into law, he encouraged his wife to sign the document. She appeared to mildly object when he said: "C'mon, sign it anyway. She deserves to sign it." The exchange can be seen below. Per photographs on Getty Images, the first lady can be seen signing the document. When the president holds it up, her signature is visible below his. () () However, social media users erroneously stated that Melania signed an executive order. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, an executive order is a written directive signed by the president to order the government to take specific actions. A bill, on the other hand, is a piece of legislation that needs to be passed by Congress and signed by the president to become law. An executive order does not require congressional approval to be implemented and Congress cannot simply overturn it. The Associated Press noted that Melania's signature was a purely symbolic gesture. Her participation in the signing took place because she advocated for this bill in Congress. As first lady, she is in an unelected and unpaid role and does not have the power to approve legislation. First ladies, according to act as unofficial advisers to the president, host White House parties and advocate for a range of social issues and causes. Per Melania's speech at the signing: This legislation is a powerful step forward in our efforts to ensure that every American—especially our young people—can feel better protected from their image or identity being abused through non-consensual intimate imagery or NCII. Artificial Intelligence and social media are the digital candy of the next generation—sweet, addictive, and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children. But unlike sugar, these new technologies can be weaponized, shape beliefs, and sadly, affect emotions and even be deadly. The Take It Down Act also requires social media companies to remove such imagery within 48 hours of being notified by a victim. While many states have banned the spread of sexually explicit deepfakes or revenge porn, this act enables the federal government to impose the rule on social media companies. Anders, Christopher. "What Is an Executive Order and How Does It Work? | ACLU." American Civil Liberties Union, 4 Feb. 2025, Accessed 27 May 2025. "First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image." Smithsonian, Accessed 27 May 2025. "First Lady Melania Trump Joins President Trump for Signing of the 'TAKE IT DOWN' Act." The White House, 20 May 2025, Accessed 27 May 2025. "First Lady Melania Trump Signs the TAKE IT DOWN Act alongside U.S...." Getty Images, 19 May 2025, Accessed 27 May 2025. "ICYMI: President Trump Signs TAKE IT DOWN Act into Law." The White House, 20 May 2025, Accessed 27 May 2025. "President Trump and First Lady Melania Sign the Take It Down Act into Law in the Rose Garden." YouTube, The White House, 19 May 2025, Accessed 27 May 2025. "President Trump Signs Take It Down Act, Addressing Nonconsensual Deepfakes. What Is It?" AP News, 29 Apr. 2025, Accessed 27 May 2025. Presidents, Vice Presidents, and First Ladies | USAGov. Accessed 27 May 2025. "S.146 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): TAKE IT DOWN Act." Library of Congress, 19 May 2025, The Ongoing Evolution of the Position of First Lady | The American Presidency Project. Accessed 27 May 2025. "Trump Signs a Bill to Make Posting 'revenge Porn' a Federal Crime. He Had the First Lady Sign, Too." AP News, 19 May 2025, Accessed 27 May 2025. "U.S. First Lady Melania Trump Smiles as President Donald Trump Holds..." Getty Images, 19 May 2025, Accessed 27 May 2025. U.S. Senate: Laws and Acts. Accessed 27 May 2025. What Is an Executive Order? Accessed 27 May 2025.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Deepfakes? Revenge porn? Trump signs bi-partisan Take It Down Act to combat fake intimate images
Take it down is the newest chant and act coming from Congress to curtail non-consensual intimate imagery, including deepfakes and revenge porn. On May 19, President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan "Take It Down" Act, which has received support from both sides of the aisle. The act mirrors some state acts and proposed bills in the effort to combat the distribution of intimate images that the parties represented in did not consent to, including a bill from Tennessee. The national bill, first introduced last year by Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, is championed by Melania Trump as part of the first lady's recently reupped "Be Best" campaign. Here's a look at what the act entails. While state legislations can put penalties on the distribution of these intimate images, victims have struggled to have images depicting them removed from websites, increasing the likelihood that the images will be continuously spread and the victims retraumatized by it. "The Take It Down Act will protect victims of digital exploitation, hold internet platforms accountable by requiring them to remove such imagery from their platform and provide justice for victims by allowing prosecutors to go after those who publish nonconsensual explicit images online," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. The Take it Down Act now criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including deepfakes that are usually AI-generated images that may impose a person's face onto an image or even video to make it look like them. Here are some of the key elements of the act: Makes non-consensual intimate imagery a federal crime. Meaning if a person knowingly publishes or shares it on social media and other online platforms, they can be charged. Also clarifies language so that the consent to create an image does not mean consent to share it. Social media sites, websites or any online platform have to remove non-consensual intimate imagery upon notice from the victim within 48 hours of the verified request. Non-consensual intimate imagery, also known as NCII in the act, includes realistic, computer-generated pornographic images and videos that depict identifiable, real people. In April, former NewsChannel 5 meteorologist Bree Smith pushed the Tennessee House legislature to pass a bill the would make it illegal in the state for someone to post "intimate" deep fakes online. Smith, a deepfake victim, testified before the House that images of a "semi-nude body" with her face superimposed on it had been circulating online. She was happy to hear that the House of Representatives listened to her story and passed the bill. "I am a flood of emotions," Smith posted on Facebook. "I'm most proud of the fact that my boys were with me … that they got to see first hand that justice is possible." The Preventing Deep Fake Images Act, passed the House with no opposition April 21 and a week later passed the Senate 32-0. Here's what it includes: Makes it a felony "to disclose or threaten to disclose or solicit the disclosure of an intimate digital depiction with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten, alarm, or cause substantial harm to the finances or reputation of the depicted individual." People who are the victim of a deepfake are able to sue the person who posted images or videos without consent for financial damages. USA TODAY and Brad Schmitt with The Tennessean contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is the Take It Down Act? Congress tackles deepfakes, revenge porn
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
First lady Melania Trump welcomes children to White House for work day celebration
First lady Melania Trump welcomed a number of children of White House employees to The People's House on Tuesday afternoon. The "White House Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" featured an array of activities scattered around the complex for children of all ages to take part in the fun. The first lady greeted children in the East Garden, assisting the kids with decorating American flags. Children drew on the wooden flags with red and blue markers. They also added star stickers as well as small and fluffy red, white, and blue pom-pom balls. The first lady was seen donning a white button-up blouse along with a floral pencil skirt. Many children were seen sporting "Gulf of America" Navy hats with "45-47" embroidered in red on the side. On Monday, President Donald Trump signed the Take it Down Act alongside the first lady, who has been championing the issue since her husband's inauguration. The bill punishes internet abuse involving nonconsensual and explicit imagery. The first lady also scored a big win for her "Be Best" initiative, securing a $25 million foster youth investment to be included in the president's 2026 fiscal year budget. Mrs. Trump has been very active in hosting a variety of recent events at the White House. Ahead of Mother's Day, the first lady honored military moms by hosting moms serving the nation in uniform, the mothers of service members and mothers whose spouses serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The first lady also paid tribute to the late Barbara Bush in a stamp dedication ceremony, hosting former Bush staffers along with family and friends. "The unveiling of this commemorative stamp honors Barbara Bush's contributions as first lady and her enduring impact on our nation," Melania Trump said at the time.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Trump Signs 'Take It Down', Act Criminalising Revenge Porn And Deepfakes
In a historic Rose Garden ceremony, President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act into law, a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting children and families from online exploitation. First Lady Melania Trump, a key advocate for the legislation, joined the President in the ceremony, marking a significant milestone for her Be Best initiative. The new law makes it a federal crime to 'knowingly publish' or threaten to publish intimate images without consent, including AI-generated 'deepfakes', and requires social media companies to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim's request. The websites and social media also endure the onus of taking steps to delete any duplicates. US Outlaws 'Revenge Porn', Donald Trump and US First Lady sign Bill @VishalV054 reports — NDTV (@ndtv) May 20, 2025 'AI and social media are the digital candy for the next generation, sweet addictive and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children,' Melania Trump said. 'But unlike sugar, these new technologies can be weaponised, shape beliefs and, sadly, affect emotions and even be deadly.' President Trump emphasised the need to protect women and children from online exploitation, stating, "Countless women have been harassed with deepfakes and other explicit images distributed against their will... Today, we're making it totally illegal." The President also commended Melania Trump for her leadership on the issue, saying, "I want to thank Melania for your leadership on this very important issue. America is blessed to have such a dedicated and compassionate First Lady." Melania Trump in her first solo appearance urged members of Congress to pass the bill in March. "It's heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content, like deepfakes," she said during a roundtable discussing the bill on 3 March. The Take It Down Act received overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress, passing the House by a 409-2 vote and clearing the Senate by unanimous consent. The law has been hailed as a major victory for victims of online exploitation, with many advocates and lawmakers expressing gratitude for the President's signature. As Melania Trump noted, "Today, through the 'TAKE IT DOWN' Act, we affirm that the well-being of our children is central to the future of our families and America". The bill was sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, both Republicans. After the bill was passed by the House, Melania Trump said that bipartisan vote proved to be a 'powerful statement that we stand united in protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of our children'. On another note, Trump said, 'And I'm going to use that bill for myself, too, if you don't mind', adding that there's nobody who 'gets treated worse than I do online. Nobody.' Tech companies such as Meta, TikTok and Google, have also supported the legislation. However, some critics have come forward to say that the law raises concerns about privacy and free speech infringement.
20-05-2025
- Politics
Trump admin live updates: Trump to address House GOP amid push for 'Big Beautiful' bill
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump teamed up on Monday for the signing of the "Take it Down Act" -- a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit videos and photos, including deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence. Melania Trump, in remarks in the Rose Garden, called the bill's signing a "national victory that will help parents and families protect children from online exploitation." "Artificial Intelligence and social media are the digital candy for the next generation: sweet, addictive and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children," she said. "But unlike sugar, these new technologies can be weaponized, shape beliefs, and sadly affect emotions, and even be deadly." The first lady thanked her husband "for standing with us on this effort" and said she's calling on the Federal Trade Commission and the private sector to do their part next on this issue. Her support for the bill is part of her "Be Best" campaign, an initiative launched during President Trump's first term that is focused on children's well-being. "With the rise of AI image generation, countless women have been harassed with deep thanks and other explicit images distributed against their will. This is the wrong and it's just so horribly wrong, and it's a very abusive situation ... and today we're making it totally illegal," President Trump said in his own remarks.
