Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Eric Burlison of Missouri broke ranks with their party Monday, voting against the revenge porn bill backed by First Lady Melania Trump. The Take It Down Act criminalizes the online spread of non-consensual sexual imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes. Despite their opposition, the bill passed the House with overwhelming support—over 400 votes in favor.
The legislation had already cleared the Senate in February. Melania Trump personally lobbied lawmakers and celebrated the outcome. “Today’s bipartisan passage of the Take It Down Act is a powerful statement that we stand united in protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of our children,” she said in a statement to Newsweek.
Massie defended his “no” vote on X, formerly Twitter, calling the bill “a slippery slope, ripe for abuse, with unintended consequences.” He also criticized House leadership for not allowing any amendments. Burlison hasn’t commented publicly on his decision as of publication.
Burlison has previously advocated for increased investment in artificial intelligence. Newsweek noted his interest in tech innovation, though he hasn’t tied it to this vote. His silence stands in contrast to Massie’s outspoken warning about overreach.
Melania Trump’s advocacy builds on her “BE BEST” initiative, which focused on well-being, online safety, and opioid abuse during Trump’s first term. Her involvement drew praise from both sides of the aisle. The First Lady’s push helped drive bipartisan momentum for the bill.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who co-sponsored the Senate version with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), called it “a historic win.” He said the bill will help victims of revenge porn and deepfake abuse by forcing social media platforms to act. “We are sparing victims from repeated trauma and holding predators accountable,” Cruz said.
The law requires platforms to remove flagged content within 48 hours. Victims can report the imagery, triggering a mandatory takedown process. Critics worry the short deadline could lead to the removal of legitimate content.
Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have pushed back hard. They argue the bill threatens free expression and due process. Satire, political commentary, or journalism could be wrongly censored in a rush to comply, the group warned.
With the bill now heading to President Donald Trump’s desk, supporters call it a landmark step for privacy and safety. Opponents remain wary of unintended consequences. The debate over censorship and protection is far from over.