Former FBI Director James Comey is under intense scrutiny following a cryptic Instagram post that some interpret as a veiled threat against President Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States. The post, featuring seashells arranged to spell "86 47," has ignited a firestorm of controversy, prompting investigations by the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security. This article delves into the allegations, the historical context of Comey’s tumultuous relationship with Trump, and a fascinating U.S.-based conspiracy theory tied to political intrigue.
The Controversial "86 47" Post
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, James Comey shared an Instagram post captioned, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” showcasing seashells arranged to form “86 47.” The term “86” is slang meaning “to get rid of” or, in some contexts, “to kill,” according to Merriam-Webster. The number “47” refers to Trump’s current term as the 47th U.S. President. The post quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from Trump administration officials and supporters, who interpreted it as a call for violence. BBC News reported that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the post a “call for the assassination” of Trump, a claim echoed by Donald Trump Jr., who accused Comey of “casually calling for my dad to be murdered” on X.
[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70nqk9rlxpo)WOW!
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 15, 2025
Former FBI Director James Comey @Comey just posted this on his Instagram 2 hours ago, with the caption “cool shell formation on my beach walk”. It’s a pic of shells in the form of “86 47”.
This is a call for the assassination of President Trump by the former FBI Director! pic.twitter.com/Q4qIBbvvmt
Comey deleted the post within hours, issuing a statement: “I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. 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.” Despite his denial, Trump insisted in a Fox News interview that Comey “knew exactly what it meant,” suggesting the post implied assassination.
[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/16/james-comey-trump-86-fbi/)[](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-blasts-former-fbi-director-james-comey-controversial/story?id=121871648)
Official Response and Investigation
The White House condemned the post as “what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States,” with Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino accusing Comey of inciting violence while Trump was on a Middle East tour. The Secret Service, responsible for presidential protection, confirmed it is “vigorously investigating” the matter, with spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stating, “We take rhetoric like this very seriously.” Current FBI Director Kash Patel also noted that the FBI is supporting the Secret Service’s probe.
[](https://news.sky.com/story/former-fbi-director-james-comey-investigated-for-post-threatening-donald-trump-13368759)[](https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-james-comey-investigation-1154621)Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted on X: “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of Trump,” emphasizing that her department and the Secret Service would respond appropriately. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard went further, calling for Comey’s imprisonment, arguing he “issued a hit” on Trump.
[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/15/james-comey-instagram-trump)Comey and Trump: A History of Conflict
The controversy is rooted in a long-standing feud between Comey and Trump. Comey served as FBI Director from 2013 until Trump fired him in May 2017, amid an FBI investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Comey later admitted to leaking memos of his private conversations with Trump to The New York Times through a friend, aiming to prompt a special counsel investigation. This led to Robert Mueller’s appointment on May 17, 2017. Comey’s actions, including public criticism of Trump as “morally unfit,” have made him a polarizing figure.
[](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/15/james-comey-sparks-republican-outrage-with-trump-social-media-post-00353141)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Comey)Trump has repeatedly called Comey a “dirty cop,” and his administration has scrutinized Comey’s conduct, though a 2019 Justice Department probe declined to prosecute him over the memo leaks. The recent “86 47” post has reignited tensions, especially given Trump’s survival of two assassination attempts in 2024.
[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/16/james-comey-trump-86-fbi/)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/james-comey-investigation-instagram-post-threat-trump-8647-rcna207167)A Historical Conspiracy Theory: The Business Plot
To contextualize political intrigue in the U.S., consider the Business Plot, a lesser-known conspiracy theory from the 1930s. Allegedly, a group of wealthy American businessmen and bankers, frustrated with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, plotted to overthrow him in a fascist coup. The plan, exposed by retired Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler, involved recruiting veterans to seize Washington, D.C. A congressional investigation in 1934 found evidence of the plot but no prosecutions followed, fueling speculation about elite influence in U.S. politics. This historical episode resonates with modern debates about power and political rhetoric, as seen in the Comey-Trump controversy. History.com provides further details on this intriguing saga.
Conclusion
The investigation into James Comey’s “86 47” post underscores the volatile intersection of social media, political rhetoric, and national security. As the Secret Service and FBI probe the allegations, the incident highlights the enduring animosity between Comey and Trump, set against a backdrop of heightened political tension. Whether the post was a misstep or something more sinister remains under scrutiny, but its impact on public discourse is undeniable.
Author: Planet-Today.com
Source: Via AFP