Terrence Howard has floated the idea of becoming president of the United States, but the most striking part of his political pitch might be what he wants to do with federal taxes.

The 57-year-old actor, best known for his roles in Empire and Iron Man, raised the possibility during a conversation with TMZ in New York City on October 28, 2026.

Asked whether he was looking forward to voting in the upcoming US midterm elections, Howard offered an answer that went considerably further than choosing a candidate.

"Yes. I'm looking forward to becoming president," he told the outlet.

When the TMZ reporter questioned whether he was serious, Howard replied: "If they're not going to make a difference, somebody's got to do something."

But Howard's comments went beyond a potential career change. He also outlined an extraordinary proposal involving reparations for the descendants of enslaved Americans.

Terrence Howard wants 400 years of federal tax exemptions

According to TMZ's original report, published on October 30, Howard wants to meet President Donald Trump to discuss the continuing economic consequences of slavery.

His proposal would exempt descendants of enslaved people from federal taxes for the next 400 years.

Howard argued that such a measure could help address longstanding economic inequalities and encourage investment in Black communities.

It is an unusually sweeping idea, although several important questions remain unanswered.

Howard has not publicly explained, in the reported conversation, which federal taxes the exemption would cover, how eligibility would be determined or how the policy would be funded.

There is also a significant distinction between proposing a tax exemption and having the authority to introduce one.

As the Internal Revenue Service explains, Congress is responsible for passing federal tax laws. Introducing an exemption of the kind Howard described would therefore require legislative action rather than a presidential decision alone.

Is Terrence Howard actually running for president?

For now, Howard's remarks should not be confused with an official presidential campaign announcement.

Although he expressed an interest in becoming president, the TMZ interview did not establish when he might run, which political party he would represent or whether he had begun organising a campaign.

Under Federal Election Commission rules, individuals generally become subject to candidate registration requirements after raising or spending more than $5,000 on a federal campaign, with specific provisions for those exploring a possible candidacy.

Expressing political ambitions in an interview is not, by itself, evidence that those requirements have been triggered.

Howard also discussed Nicki Minaj's relationship with Trump during his conversation with TMZ, questioning how the rapper might use her growing political influence.

Whether Howard intends to turn his comments into an actual presidential bid remains unknown. What he has made clear is that his political interests extend beyond the White House itself, with a proposed tax policy that would require substantial changes to federal law.