On Monday, Mar. 3, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump made her first solo appearance in President Trump’s second term. Her commentary on the fight against revenge explicit photos and the revival of her “Be Best” initiative was partially cut short on Fox News, as the network aired less than half of her brief remarks.
Fox News was seen to interrupt her mid-speech, a move perceived by many viewers as a slight. Melania was on Capitol Hill to support the bipartisan “Take It Down Act,” a bill designed to criminalize revenge explicit photos and AI-generated explicit content, or “deepfakes.” If enacted, the legislation would make sharing intimate pictures or videos online without consent a federal crime, with a penalty of up to three years in prison for images involving minors, and two years for adult-related content.
During the roundtable, Melania highlighted the ordeal of 15-year-old Elliston Berry, whose face was used without her permission for explicit AI-generated images. “They used her likeness in pornographic content solely to humiliate her,” Melania Trump said.
Although Melania spoke for nearly six minutes, Fox News broadcasted only about two minutes of her speech before transitioning to preview other segments, such as a discussion with Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) about banning transgender athletes from women’s sports and news of actor Gene Hackman’s death.
Interestingly, the president seemed to have been watching the broadcast, as he posted a Fox News link on Truth Social stating: “Watching our First Lady now, great job!” This was despite the network having already moved on from her speech.
In her speech, Melania expressed gratitude towards the bill’s sponsors and acknowledged the bipartisan effort on the issue. “I was heartened to learn that Senator Cruz and Senator Klobuchar united on this fundamental matter,” she mentioned. She also expressed her surprise at the lack of more Democratic leaders addressing this serious issue, emphasizing the need to prioritize children’s welfare over politics.
During her appearance, Melania announced the return of her “Be Best” anti-cyberbullying campaign, which had its roots in the first Trump administration. She reiterated her commitment to the initiative, emphasizing the importance of online safety in today’s digital age, and the need to shield children from harmful online behavior.
Since President Trump’s second inauguration in January, the First Lady has kept a low public profile. She joined the president on January 24 to tour disaster sites caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and wildfires in California. However, Monday marked her first independent public appearance of the new term.
In her interview with Fox News on January 15, Melania shared her plans for the second Trump administration. She stated her roles as a mother, a first lady, and a wife would be her priorities, and that she would shift her focus to serving the country after January 20. Despite her words, People magazine reported that Melania has spent more time at Mar-a-Lago than in Washington D.C. Nonetheless, her office remains active, recently announcing the resumption of public White House tours.
The “Take It Down Act” has passed the Senate and awaits approval in the Republican-led House before President Trump can sign it into law. The bill mandates social media platforms and websites to promptly remove non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated explicit photos, upon victim notification.
Melania described the “toxic environment” and “devastating” impact of revenge porn on young people, particularly girls, during the roundtable. She labeled the effects as “heartbreaking” and urged Congress to prioritize the welfare of children above partisan politics.
The “Be Best” initiative, initiated during the first Trump administration in 2018, centered on children’s welfare, online safety, and opioid abuse. Despite criticism for perceived inconsistency due to her husband’s social media behavior, Melania has remained dedicated to the campaign.
The White House has acknowledged the apparent discrepancy between the Trumps’ communication styles, stating that “the President and First Lady often communicate differently — as most married couples do.” While Melania consistently condemns cyberbullying, President Trump frequently uses social media to critique political rivals and others.
Melania’s presence at Capitol Hill on Monday could play a significant role in aiding the “Take It Down Act” pass the Republican-led House. She returned to the Capitol on Tuesday, March 4, for the president’s address to a joint session of Congress.
