Comey’s ‘86 47’ Is Code to Assassinate Me: Trump

Donald Trump on Thursday stirred controversy with a social media post claiming that the phrase “86 47” is a coded call for his assassination.

Posting on his platform, Trump wrote, “They say ‘86 47 him.’ ‘86’ is a mob term for ‘kill him.’ 86 47 means kill President Trump.” He also lashed out at James Comey, calling him a “dirty cop” and alleging that Comey was fully aware of the phrase’s meaning. Trump further added, “Eight miles out, six feet down,” suggesting what he described as a darker, mob-style interpretation of the code.

The controversy stems from a recent social media post by Comey, who shared an image of seashells arranged on a beach to form the numbers “86 47.” He said he came across the formation and posted it as a political message, later claiming he was unaware of any violent connotations linked to the phrase.

Traditionally, “86” is American slang dating back to the 1930s, commonly used in restaurants to indicate that an item is unavailable or to eject a disruptive customer. More broadly, it has come to mean “get rid of” or “discard.” The number “47” refers to Trump’s position as the 47th President of the United States.

However, Trump interpreted the phrase as a threat, arguing it carried an implication of violence. His reference to “eight miles out, six feet down” alluded to a grim interpretation often associated with organized crime—suggesting disposal of a body in a remote location and burial.

The issue escalated after Comey was indicted on April 28 over the “86 47” post, facing charges of threatening the life of the President and transmitting a threat across state lines. This marks the second legal case against Comey by the Trump administration; a previous indictment in 2025 over alleged false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice was later dismissed.

Comey surrendered to authorities on April 29 and has pleaded not guilty. He was released without conditions as the legal proceedings continue.