Bill Maher grills Esper for not backing Biden after calling Trump a 'threat to democracy': A 'binary' choice

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"Real Time" host Bill Maher took former Defense Secretary Mark Esper to task for refraining to back President Biden in the upcoming election after declaring former President Trump a "threat to democracy."

Esper, one of several ex-Trump officials who have been outspoken against their former boss in the 2024 election cycle, warned that the first year of Trump's second term will be like "the last year of the first Trump term" "with all the craziness."

"The number one attribute that you will see anybody coming into the administration will be loyalty, and not to the Constitution but to him," Esper said.

He later added, "Look, I think there's a lot to be concerned about. I said I believe he's a threat to democracy and we should be very mindful of that."

"So you'll vote for Biden?" Maher asked.

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A visibly-uncomfortable Esper struggled to offer a response, which left the HBO host exasperated.

Esper finally uttered, "I'm not there yet. I'm definitely not voting for Trump but I'm not there yet."

"This you'll have to explain to me, sir," Maher said. "I really respect you so much. Thank you for your service, I mean that so sincerely, but I just don't understand smart people who don't get binary. Binary."

"I