President Donald Trump joked Thursday that first lady Melania Trump might be ready to take his job after her successful push for legislation banning revenge porn and deepfake images achieved something he rarely accomplishes: strong bipartisan support in Congress.
Trump made the quip during the annual Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday, with Melania standing by his side on the Truman Balcony as he praised lawmakers who backed her initiative to combat digital exploitation.
“We’ve even come together on a bipartisan basis with the help of our great first lady to pass the Take It Down Act, protecting our youth from exploitation,” Trump told the gathered lawmakers.
The president made a rare admission that his wife had succeeded where he often struggles.
“When I saw that bill pass — bipartisan — I said, ‘You know, I think you’re gonna take my job, Melania… we don’t get so much bipartisan so…'” Trump said. “She didn’t know why. She said, ‘Why is that?’ I said, ‘There is no reason for it, but you did it.’ Congratulations. That’s a great job.'”
“I want to thank you, Melania, and thank you, everybody out there,” the president said.
The Take It Down Act, which Trump signed into law last month, seeks to protect victims of digital exploitation through harsher penalties for spreading so-called revenge porn and nonconsensual deepfake images. The legislation aims to shield young Americans from online exploitation and provides stronger legal recourse for victims.
Melania’s initiative achieved remarkable success in Congress, with the measure clearing the Senate by unanimous consent. In the House, only two lawmakers voted against the bill: Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Eric Burlison of Missouri, both Republicans.
The overwhelming bipartisan support stood in stark contrast to the typical partisan gridlock that characterizes much of Trump’s relationship with Congress.
The first lady has made digital safety and youth protection key priorities during her time in the White House.
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