Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Eric Burlison of Missouri broke with their party Monday, voting against revenge porn legislation backed by First Lady Melania Trump that was overwhelmingly passed by Congress.
The Take It Down Act, which criminalizes the promulgation of non-consensual sexual imagery on the internet, including AI-generated “deepfakes,” sailed through the House with over 400 votes in favor, according to NPR. The bill had already cleared the Senate in February.
Massie explained his opposition on X, formerly Twitter, calling the legislation “a slippery slope, ripe for abuse, with unintended consequences.” He alleged House leadership allowed no amendments to be offered.
Burlison has not publicly commented on his “no” vote as of publication. The Missouri lawmaker has previously advocated for investment in artificial intelligence, Newsweek noted.
Tonight we’re voting on the “TAKE IT DOWN Act,” a bill that would impose federal criminal and civil penalties for publishing unauthorized intimate pictures generated with AI.
I’m voting NO because I feel this is a slippery slope, ripe for abuse, with unintended consequences. pic.twitter.com/i3XhWTibP8
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 28, 2025
The First Lady, who lobbied lawmakers to pass the bill, praised its bipartisan approval. “Today’s bipartisan