On May 19, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump broke with tradition during a White House Rose Garden ceremony for the Take It Down Act. After President Donald Trump signed the bill into law, he handed her the pen and urged her to sign as well. Though her signature carried no legal weight, the gesture immediately drew applause—and controversy. For over two centuries, bill signings have been the sole domain of elected officials. Legal scholars quickly pointed out that while Melania’s act was symbolic, it raised questions about precedent and the role of unelected figures in governance.
Her involvement was significant: Melania had been a driving force behind the legislation, which criminalizes the distribution of non-consensual intimate images and AI deepfakes. She met with survivors, lobbied lawmakers, and helped secure near-unanimous bipartisan support. Many credited her persistence as key to the bill’s passage. Supporters saw her ceremonial signature as a fitting tribute to her advocacy. Critics, however, warned it blurred constitutional boundaries and could set a risky precedent.
Ultimately, the act marked a milestone both for online safety and for the evolving role of the First Lady. Whether seen as a harmless flourish or a historic overstep, Melania Trump’s signature ensured the moment will be remembered as more than symbolic.