On May 19, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump broke 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 had “no legal weight,” the moment drew both applause and controversy. For over 200 years, bill signings were reserved for elected officials. Legal experts cautioned that while symbolic, it raised questions about precedent and the role of unelected figures.

Melania’s involvement was central to the bill, which criminalizes the spread of non-consensual intimate images and AI deepfakes. She had met with survivors, lobbied lawmakers, and pushed for bipartisan support. Many said her persistence was crucial to its near-unanimous passage.

Supporters saw her ceremonial act as a tribute to her advocacy. Critics, however, warned it “blurred constitutional boundaries” and could create a dangerous precedent.

The Take It Down Act stands as both a milestone for online safety and a moment redefining the First Lady’s influence. Whether seen as “a harmless flourish or a historic overstep,” Melania’s signature ensured the event will be remembered as more than symbolic.