In 2026, a YouTuber becoming a member of Congress would be the least outrageous event of the year thus far. Content creator John Green had been asked if his brother, science YouTuber Hank Green, is running for public office. There’s nobody better to ask than John, and the answer might surprise Congress.
In a video uploaded on the ‘vlogbrothers’ YouTube channel, John said he went to Capitol Hill last week. The YouTuber revealed that congressional staffers kept asking him if his brother was going to run to represent the state of Montana. He initially thought that it was a joke, but because it kept happening through the day, he realized that it was a serious question.
He speculated that his brother could technically run for office, as Montana Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke both abruptly retired. John also denied wanting to run for office, as he confessed that he would absolutely “hate” the job. Jon Green, as per his confession, hates meetings and asking people for money. He also thinks the job requires a level of extroversion that he doesn’t possess.
Why Hank Green should consider running for office
“But you, Hank, you’re an extrovert. You’re a teambuilder. You can manage people. You have a high capacity for work, especially when it’s meaningful work,” John practically endorsed his brother. He especially noted that Hank Green has no cancellable tweets—a high bar not easily fulfilled when the sitting president isn’t known for tact.
John Green also joked that he “kinda want to have a brother in Congress.” He makes the comparison of people not wanting to own a boat but wanting a friend with a boat. Essentially, John thinks he’s unfit for the job—but he definitely thinks his brother is qualified for it.
Despite John Green’s advocacy of his brother, he ultimately denies Hank’s bid for public office.
But the official answer he gave to congressional staffers is, “When it comes to Hank Green, you can never rule anything out.” Hopefully, his brother’s answer won’t make Hank Green faint.
Being in public office isn’t the only way to change the world
John Green proceeded to mention the discouraging realities of politics. He talked about how the executive branch of government started a war, even if it legally cannot. John also criticized Congress, which he thinks is “not doing nearly enough” regarding the war and budget management.
Despite the corruption, John believes that positive change can still happen and has witnessed it through the TBFighters. The organization is an NGO that advocates for increased funding in the fight against tuberculosis.
“Since the year 2000, about 70 million tuberculosis deaths have been averted,” he stated. John attributed the success not just to politicians but also to activists who are lobbying to cure tuberculosis.
He cited a TB tracker made by an activist called Tofu, and it reveals if a representative signed Dear Colleagues Letters that is crucial for global health and tuberculosis funding. Because of the tracker, people were able to make requests to members of Congress to back the cause. Through this, the fight against the disease can continuously be funded.
“Remember, running for office is not the only form of service,” John Green reminded his audience. Activism is hardly glamorous, but it’s an avenue for change.
A ‘Congressman Hank Green,’ a champion for education and science, is hardly the wrong choice in a world where even an anti-vaxxer can become the Health and Human Services secretary. Besides, if a dead podcaster’s wife can be appointed by President Donald Trump as a board member of the U.S. Air Force Academy, why can’t an advocate for positive change hope to be a member of Congress?
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