Picture this: seashells on a beach spelling out “86 47,” a cryptic message that’s got President Donald Trump and his supporters seeing red.
Former FBI Director James Comey posted the image on Instagram, only to delete as soon as the backlash began, the Daily Mail reported. Now, critics are roaring that this was no innocent snapshot but a coded call for violence against the 47th president.
This bizarre saga boils down to Comey’s photo igniting a political firestorm, with Trump accusing him of signaling an assassination threat, Republicans demanding consequences, and a DHS probe underway while Comey pleads ignorance.
It all started when Comey, fired by Trump back in 2017, shared that beach photo showing shells arranged as “86 47.” The slang “86” for getting rid of something, paired with Trump’s presidential number, had alarm bells ringing among conservatives. To many, this wasn’t art—it was a dog whistle for disaster.
Trump didn’t mince words during a Fox News sit-down with Bret Baier, aired Friday at 6 p.m. “He knew exactly what that meant,” Trump declared.
Trump doubled down, calling the post a clear nod to assassination. He argued Comey’s history as a “dirty cop” only adds fuel to the malicious intent. The public’s backlash, Trump noted, shows unwavering loyalty to his cause over Comey’s antics.
Comey, for his part, claimed he just stumbled on the shells during a casual beach stroll. “I oppose violence of any kind,” he insisted, explaining the swift deletion of the post. Sure, and pigs might sprout wings—his excuse is thinner than a woke apology.
Republicans pounced, with Donald Trump Jr. blasting Comey as “vile” on X for what he sees as a death wish against his father. The timing, following two assassination attempts on Trump during his recent campaign, has only cranked up the outrage. This isn’t just a bad look; it’s a five-alarm fire.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem didn’t hesitate, announcing a joint investigation with the Secret Service into the post as a potential presidential threat. “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of President Trump,” she posted on X. Actions have consequences, and seashell stunts might land Comey in deeper waters than he expected.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard tore into Comey’s defense, calling it “ridiculous and insane.” How does a man with his resume not grasp the weight of such symbols? Gabbard insisted this endangers Trump’s life and demanded he face real accountability, not just a slap on the wrist.
Comey’s story of finding pre-arranged shells by pure chance has commentators rolling their eyes. A seasoned prosecutor not seeing the violent undertones of “86 47” is difficult to believe for many on the right.
Gabbard wasn’t buying it either, arguing Comey’s position of authority makes the post a reckless risk to Trump’s safety. “He should be held accountable and put behind bars,” she stated flatly. The Republican chorus agrees: no one gets a pass, not even a former FBI bigwig.
Trump, deferring to Attorney General Pam Bondi for legal moves, didn’t hold back on calling the post “terrible.” With Comey’s past—leaking memos, botching the Clinton email mess—Trump implied leniency isn’t on the table. Bondi’s team, it seems, will have plenty to chew on.
Comey’s 2017 firing by Trump came after a tenure marred by controversy, including the Clinton probe many Democrats still blame for her 2016 loss. His post-firing email to FBI staff admitted a president can axe a director for any reason, yet here he is, still poking the bear with beachside cryptics. Some folks never learn.
This seashell mess proves one thing: even a casual post from a figure like Comey can ripple into a tsunami of trouble.
With investigations rolling and Republican rage at a boiling point, the former FBI director might soon find cryptic messages aren’t as harmless as a sandy stroll, as pressure in D.C. to investigate and potentially charge the former intelligence official reaches new heights.
