Trump on Comey's '86 47' Post: 'A Child Knows What That Meant' — 'That Meant Assassination' (May 16, 2025)

President Donald Trump said former FBI Director James Comey knew exactly what he was posting when he shared a photo of seashells spelling “86 47.” “He knew exactly what that meant. A child knows what that meant,” Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier in an interview that aired May 16, 2025. “If you’re the FBI director, and you don’t know what that meant – that meant assassination, and it says it loud and clear.” [1]

“He wasn’t very competent. But he was competent enough to know what that meant. And, he did it for a reason,” Trump said [1].

The video above shows Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Comey’s post in May 2025. Quotes are from Fox News and FOX 5 New York [1][2][3].

”Cool Shell Formation”

Comey posted the picture on Instagram with the caption “Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” Fox News reported. “Some interpreted it as a coded message, with ‘86’ being slang for ‘get rid of,’ and ‘47’ referring to Trump, who is the 47th president of the United States.” [1]

“Comey said he and his wife spotted the shells during a walk on the beach and thought the arrangement looked visually interesting,” FOX 5 New York reported [3].

“He removed the post shortly after—but not before it caught the attention of Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and FBI Director Kash Patel,” the station reported [3].

Comey deleted the post. “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,” he said [1].

“Shortly after Comey removed the post, Fox News Digital learned from a Secret Service source that the agency was aware of the incident and agents are being sent to investigate and interview Comey.” [2]

“He’s a Dirty Cop”

Comey led the FBI in Trump’s first term until Trump fired him. “Since being fired by Trump in 2017, Comey has become a bestselling author of both nonfiction and fiction,” FOX 5 New York noted [3].

Asked whether Comey should face consequences, Trump left it to the Justice Department and the Secret Service, which were investigating. “If he had a clean history – he doesn’t, he’s a dirty cop … I could understand if there was a leniency. But I’m going to let them make that decision,” Trump said [1].

”Put Behind Bars”

Gabbard went further on “Jesse Watters Primetime.” “The rule of law says people like him who issue direct threats against the POTUS, essentially issuing a call to assassinate him, must be held accountable under the law,” she said, Fox News reported [2].

“I’m very concerned for the president’s life; we’ve already seen assassination attempts. I’m very concerned for his life and James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this,” Gabbard said [2].

Gabbard also said Comey has influence, and that there are “people who take [him] very seriously,” Fox News reported [2].

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich wrote: “While President Trump is currently on an international trip to the Middle East, the former FBI Director puts out what can clearly be interpreted as ‘a hit’ on the sitting President of the United States — a message etched in the sand.” [2]

“This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously,” Budowich wrote [2].

”I’m Using Trade to Settle Scores”

Trump spoke with Baier in Abu Dhabi at the end of his Middle East trip. “I’m using trade to settle scores and to make peace,” he said of the cease-fire between India and Pakistan [1].

“That was going to be a nuclear war, I think, or close … And now everyone’s happy,” Trump said. “In fact, I told my people, call them up, let’s start trading immediately.” [1]

He said the region “was never treated properly. And it was certainly not treated well by Biden, who didn’t know he was alive, frankly.” [1]

On Iran, Trump said the solution would be “violent or not violent” and that he would prefer the peaceful path, Fox News reported. He said he had eased “crippling” sanctions on Syria [1].

“18 Cell Phones”

Trump also talked about the two attempts on his life in 2024. “I thought it was strange,” he said of one suspect. “The one guy had 18 cell phones, okay? I have a lot of cell phones, but I have like two.” [1]

Of the Butler, Pennsylvania, gunman’s phone, he said: “Three apps. Very unusual apps. And two of them were foreign apps.” [1]

“They tell me it’s fine,” Trump said of his safety. “I get a little throbbing feeling,” he added, Fox News reported, describing the lingering effects of the wound [1].

By the Numbers

86: slang for “get rid of,” as some read the post, Fox News reported [1].
47: Trump’s number as the 47th president [1].
18: cell phones one would-be assassin had, per Trump [1].

What Happened Next

The Secret Service came calling. Comey “confirmed that the Secret Service contacted him Thursday and met with him in person Friday,” FOX 5 New York reported on May 19, 2025 [3].

“They gave me a ride to their headquarters,” Comey told a book event in Manhattan. “It’s been a bit of a distraction, honestly,” he said [3].

For Kash Patel’s swearing-in as FBI director, see HYGO News’ page on Feb. 21, 2025. For Gabbard’s swearing-in as director of national intelligence, see the page on Feb. 12, 2025.