Terrence Howard is contemplating a run for the presidency, telling TMZ.com that he may enter national politics if other candidates fail to deliver meaningful change. The "Empire" star raised the possibility during a Wednesday encounter with the outlet in New York City, when a photographer asked whether he was looking forward to voting.
"Yes. I'm looking forward to becoming president," Howard told TMZ.com. When pressed on whether he was serious, the actor did not retreat, stating, "If they're not going to make a difference, somebody's got to do something."
The centerpiece of any potential campaign, according to the account, would be reparations. Howard told TMZ.com he would welcome a meeting with President Trump to discuss the enduring consequences of slavery, and he proposed that descendants of slaves be exempt from federal taxes for the next 400 years. In his view, the measure would narrow the economic gap and draw investment into Black communities, and he described it to TMZ.com as a means of healing "400 years of bad karma."
Howard also offered commentary on Nicki Minaj's alignment with Trump and whether the recording artist is wielding her political influence appropriately, according to TMZ.com. The remarks surfaced in a video segment published by the outlet on October 30, 2026, at 1:00 AM PDT.
The actor's remarks arrive as celebrity political engagement draws heightened attention, and they place a prominent entertainment figure alongside a policy debate that continues to shape national discussion. For local readers, the exchange offers a reminder that high-profile voices increasingly weigh in on federal questions with direct bearing on communities of color.