Trump's former defense secretary tells Bill Maher he's inching closer to voting for Biden
Donald Trump and Mark Esper (AFP)

Former Trump Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Bill Maher that a second term for Donald Trump will be filled with loyalists, and not political professionals.

Esper, who has previously expressed his concerns about a second Trump term, said on Real Time with Bill Maher that the ex-president is a "threat to democracy" that Americans must take seriously. But he hesitated when Maher pressed him on voting for Biden.

"So you'll vote for Biden?" the host asked.

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Just as Esper began to speak, Maher interrupted him.

Esper continued, saying he's "not there yet" when it comes to supporting the current president.

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

Maher then replied, saying he doesn't understand "smart people who doesn't understand binary" choices, such as the one presented in the 2024 rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

"How can you not be there after what you just said?" Maher asked.

"There's no way I'll vote for Trump, but every day that Trump does something crazy, the door to voting for Biden opens a little bit more, and that's where I'm at," the ex-official replied.

Maher then said, "That's a slow opening door."

Watch the guests' "Overtime" segment below or at this link:

Overtime: Jonathan Haidt, Fareed Zakaria, Dr. Mark T. Esper (HBO)www.youtube.com