Thu Mar 06 08:48:41 UTC 2025: ## President Trump Praises Teen Deepfake Victim, Highlights Passage of “Take It Down Act”
**Washington, D.C.** – President Donald Trump lauded 15-year-old Elliston Berry during his address to Congress for her bravery in speaking out against deepfake pornography. Berry became a victim of a deepfake scandal when a classmate used AI to manipulate a photo of her, creating a non-consensual explicit image that was subsequently shared online. Her advocacy, President Trump emphasized, was instrumental in the Senate’s passage of the “Take It Down Act,” a bill aimed at combating the surge in illicit deepfake content.
The “Take It Down Act,” sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz, requires social media platforms and websites to swiftly remove non-consensual explicit material, including AI-generated pornography, upon notification by victims. While it has passed the Senate, the bill now awaits House approval to become law.
First Lady Melania Trump also championed the legislation, participating in a Capitol Hill roundtable discussion alongside teenage victims of deepfake exploitation. She highlighted the devastating impact on young people, particularly girls, and urged for swift action to create a safer online environment. The First Lady’s involvement builds on her “Fostering the Future” initiative.
The rising prevalence of deepfakes is a significant concern. Reports indicate a staggering 460% increase in deepfake pornographic videos in 2024, exceeding 21,000 cases. This underscores the urgency for legislation like the “Take It Down Act” to protect individuals from the damaging effects of this technology. Berry’s story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of deepfake abuse and the crucial need for effective legislative solutions.
First Piper 