President Donald Trump has signed into law a groundbreaking bill that criminalizes the nonconsensual distribution of explicit images commonly known as revenge porn at the federal level. The new legislation marks a significant step in the fight against online exploitation and digital harassment.
During the signing ceremony at the Capitol, President Trump praised the bipartisan efforts behind the bill, highlighting the contributions of Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and First Lady Melania Trump.
“I want to thank Senator Amy Klobuchar and First Lady Melania Trump for their collaboration in advancing this critical legislation to protect every American’s privacy and dignity online,” he said. “This is not about politics, this is about people. It’s about standing up for victims who have had their lives turned upside down by this kind of abuse.”
First Lady Melania Trump, known for her Be Best initiative promoting children’s online safety, expressed pride in the bill’s passage. “This is about protecting vulnerable individuals, especially young people, from humiliation and harm,” she said in a statement.
The legislation garnered strong bipartisan support and was backed by digital rights organizations, who have long called for federal action to address the inconsistent patchwork of state laws. Legal experts note that the new law not only fills these gaps but sets a national standard for prosecuting harmful digital behavior.
Although some free speech advocates raised concerns about potential overreach, lawmakers emphasized that the bill is narrowly tailored to address deliberate and harmful acts of nonconsensual image sharing.
The law takes effect immediately. Federal agencies will oversee enforcement and lead public education efforts to raise awareness about the new legal protections.
Written By Rodney Mbua
