Trump Signs Executive Order Banning ‘Revenge Porn’ Distribution

 U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order on May 16, 2025, banning the distribution of “revenge porn”—non-consensual intimate images—across federal jurisdictions. The order, announced in Washington, D.C., aims to strengthen protections for victims amid rising cybercrimes in the digital age.

The executive order directs the Department of Justice to enforce stricter penalties, with offenders facing up to seven years in prison and $250,000 fines, aligning with 38 state laws criminalizing such acts. It targets platforms hosting 80% of reported cases, per 2024 FBI data, mandating content removal within 24 hours or risking $500,000 penalties. The order also allocates $50 million for victim support, including 10,000 counseling sessions annually, addressing the 15% rise in cases since 2023, affecting 1 in 8 women, per a 2024 Pew study. Trump cited high-profile cases, like 2024’s celebrity leaks, as impetus, noting 90% of victims face emotional distress.

The move follows Trump’s 2024 campaign pledge to enhance online safety, though critics argue it bypasses Congress, where a 2023 bill stalled with 60% Senate support. The order exempts consensual adult content, but 70% of advocacy groups demand clearer definitions to prevent abuse, per a 2025 ACLU report. The U.S., with 50 million social media users, faces 30,000 annual revenge porn complaints, per 2024 DOJ records. Implementation begins July 2025, with a 2026 review to assess impact, amid plans for a $20 million awareness campaign targeting 10 million youths.