U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on ex-FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of inciting violence through a social media post that Trump interpreted as a veiled assassination threat. The controversy erupted after Comey shared a now-deleted Instagram photo showing the numbers “86 47” spelled out in seashells a combination Trump and his allies claim symbolized a call to “kill the 47th president.”
Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Trump did not hold back. “He knew exactly what that meant,” Trump said. “That meant assassination, and it says it loud and clear… He’s calling for the assassination of the president.” The former president also labeled Comey a “dirty cop,” reigniting their long-standing feud.
The term “86” is sometimes used in slang to mean “get rid of” or “kill,” while Trump is the 47th president of the United States, counting non-consecutive terms. Although interpretations of the post vary, Trump supporters and several senior officials within his administration have taken the image as a direct threat.
Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017 amid the Russia investigation, responded by saying the post was misunderstood. “I posted a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” he said on Instagram. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me, but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down.”
The Secret Service has reportedly questioned Comey, while the Department of Homeland Security confirmed it is investigating the incident. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the bureau is in contact with the Secret Service and will provide support, while Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused Comey of issuing “a call to action to murder the president.”
This incident adds to the tension surrounding Trump’s 2024 campaign, especially after he survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally in July 2024. The ongoing investigation will determine whether Comey’s post was a grave misjudgment or something more sinister.
