President Donald Trump recently commended First Lady Melania Trump for her remarkable efforts in the foster care community and her impactful work on Capitol Hill, particularly with the “Take It Down” Act. In his remarks, he highlighted two inspiring young women who were present as guests of the First Lady.
“Our First Lady is accompanied by two truly impressive young women,” said Trump. “We have Haley Ferguson, who has greatly benefited from the First Lady’s Fostering the Future initiative. Haley is now on track to complete her education and become a teacher. We also have Elliston Berry, a brave young woman who became a victim of deepfake images created by a peer. These young women’s stories are a testament to the positive impact of Melania’s work, and we are proud to have them here today.” The chamber responded with applause as the two women were seated in the First Lady’s guest box.
Earlier in February, the Senate passed the “Take It Down” Act, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at protecting Americans from the dangers of deepfake technology and revenge pornography. The bill is a direct response to the growing issue of digital manipulation, which can harm individuals by spreading false, malicious content. President Trump expressed his eagerness to see the bill pass through the House and become law, remarking, “Once it passes the House, I look forward to signing that bill into law. And I’m going to use that bill for myself too, if you don’t mind, because nobody gets treated worse than I do online. Nobody,” he said, drawing some laughter from the chamber.
Earlier that day, during her first public remarks as First Lady in President Trump’s second term, Melania spoke passionately about the need to protect children from the harmful effects of online abuse. “In an era where digital interactions are a central part of our daily lives, it is crucial that we take steps to safeguard our children from the mean-spirited and damaging behaviors that can occur online,” she said, underscoring her commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safety and well-being in the digital age.
