Bipartisan Deepfake Bill Signed into Law: A Victory for Online Safety?

Congress Passes Bipartisan Bill to Combat Deepfakes and Online Image Abuse Washington, D.C. - In a surprising bipartisan effort, President Trump signed a bill into law on May 20, 2025, aimed at curbing the spread of explicit deepfakes and online image abuse. The legislation, which had been championed by First Lady Melania Trump, addresses a growing concern about the harmful effects of such content, particularly on young people. "Imagine for a moment being a 13-year-old girl and having those kinds of images circulating around your school," said Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, in an interview on MSNBC's Way Too Early. "It can be incredibly traumatizing." The bill places new responsibilities on social media companies to take down such content, a move prompted by these platforms' perceived inaction. Critics have argued that social media companies have been too slow to address this issue, leaving vulnerable individuals exposed to significant harm. The new law aims to change that. The legislation represents a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation in a highly polarized political climate. It is a significant step towards protecting individuals from the harmful effects of deepfakes and online exploitation. The success of this legislation will depend on the effective enforcement of the new regulations by social media companies and government agencies.