In what many saw as a coded assassination threat against President-elect Donald Trump, former FBI Director James Comey’s ominous Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to spell “86 47” sparked outrage across the country. As worries about the left’s increasingly violent rhetoric against Trump grew, the dangerous message from a once-powerful law enforcement official immediately led to calls for his arrest.
Comey’s Dangerous Dog Whistle Exposed
Comey posted the disturbing image to his Instagram account on Saturday, showing seashells arranged to form “86 47” on a beach. The post was quickly deleted after massive backlash, with Comey offering the dubious explanation that he hadn’t arranged the shells himself and merely photographed what he found.
Former FBI Director, James Comey just posted this “8647” on his instagram.
WTF?!https://t.co/2yJrBhPY7VAttn: @SecretService @DeptofDefense @TheJusticeDept @fbi @FBIDirectorKash @FBIDDBongino @Potus @DanScavino @Scavino47 pic.twitter.com/lQyGY4VKQV
— MAGABrittany (@paintsaints) May 15, 2025
In restaurant slang, “86” means to get rid of something, while “47” clearly references Trump’s upcoming role as America’s 47th president. The sinister combination has appeared on anti-Trump merchandise and protest signs, representing the latest escalation in what many conservatives view as dangerous rhetoric from the left.
What does 8647 mean? The disturbing Trump Assassination movement as MAGA calls for FBI director's arrest https://t.co/Jno6Y2Ovj9
— Zicutake USA Comment (@Zicutake) May 16, 2025
President Trump directly addressed the controversy, stating that Comey should face consequences for his actions. The Secret Service and FBI are reportedly investigating the incident, which comes in the wake of two assassination attempts against Trump during his presidential campaign.
Disturbing Pattern of Left-Wing Threats
This incident follows Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s controversial “86 45” display during Trump’s first term. Her team attempted to downplay the message with a spokesman claiming: “It’s pretty clear nobody in the Trump campaign has ever worked a food service job.”
Social media figure Ed Krassenstein faced similar criticism for posting “86 47” messages, later attempting to backpedal by stating: “For the record, I am 100% against violence in any form.” These explanations ring hollow to many conservatives who see a coordinated pattern of thinly veiled threats against the President-elect.
Deep State Exposed Again
Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard condemned Comey’s post, stating: “That is a ridiculous and insane statement to make. Coming from a guy who is the former director of the FBI.”
“That is a ridiculous and insane statement to make. Coming from a guy who is the former director of the FBI.” – Tulsi Gabbard
Many Americans find Comey’s actions particularly troubling, given his former position leading the nation’s top law enforcement agency. This incident has reinforced concerns about deep state opposition to Trump and the willingness of former officials to engage in dangerous rhetoric that could incite violence.
The timing of Comey’s post, just after Trump’s decisive election victory, suggests a concerning level of desperation among those who oppose Trump’s return to power. Conservative voices are demanding accountability, pointing out that anyone else making such thinly veiled threats against a president-elect would face immediate legal consequences.