Trump reacts to Comey's cryptic post: 'That meant assassination'
3 Min Read
US President Donald Trump accused ex-FBI Director James Comey of implying an assassination threat through an Instagram post featuring the number 8647. Authorities have launched an investigation into the post’s intent.
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President Donald Trump tours the Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque at the Abrahamic Family House, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (AP)
US President Donald Trump has accused former FBI Director James Comey of calling for his assassination through a now-deleted Instagram post.
The post in question featured seashells arranged to form the number 8647, which some Trump supporters interpreted as a coded reference to removing the president by force. Trump, speaking to Fox News while concluding a four-day visit to Abu Dhabi as part of his Middle East trip, rejected Comey’s explanation.
"He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant. If you're the FBI director and you don't know what that meant? That meant assassination. And it says it loud and clear," Trump said, citing the image as a clear and dangerous message.
Comey deletes post, denies political intent
The controversy stems from the James Comey Instagram post, which simply captioned the image: "Cool shell formation on my beach walk." The photo quickly gained attention from pro-Trump circles, who pointed to slang interpretations, where “86” can imply removal or killing, and “47” is associated with Trump as the 47th president.
Former FBI Director James Comey is calling for the assassination of President Trump.
— Ape𝕏 (@CubanOnlyTrump) May 15, 2025
“86” means “to kill, to murder; to execute judicially.”
Arrest James Comey.
Pass it along. pic.twitter.com/ef46OOfTyZ
Comey later removed the image and denied any political intent behind the post, stating, "It never occurred to me but I oppose violence of any kind so I took the post down."
Despite his clarification, Trump doubled down in his interview, calling Comey’s post “a call for the assassination of the president.” He added that Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials would handle any legal follow-up.
Officials investigate alleged threat against Trump
According to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a Secret Service investigation into Comey’s actions is now underway, led by Director Sean Curran.
Gabbard dismissed Comey’s explanation as implausible, noting that the “8647” slogan has been used by anti-Trump protesters and should not be seen as innocent. “This wasn’t just a quirky beach photo. It was a veiled call to action against the sitting president,” she said in a Thursday night appearance on Fox News.
The incident unfolds amid growing political tensions, and the Trump-Comey 8647 controversy has added fuel to already strained relations between the former FBI chief and the president who fired him in 2017.
BREAKING: They now are sending secret service agents to James Comey's house for calling for the removal of a sitting president who is going against the Constitution.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) May 15, 2025
If they don't like your "free speech" they will intimidate you, lie about you, and make you the enemy.
8647… pic.twitter.com/WBO7q7IUjn
