Hold onto your hats, folks—former FBI Director James Comey just stepped into a social media storm that’s got everyone talking.
Breitbart reported that Comey, once at the helm of the FBI, found himself explaining a cryptic Instagram post interpreted by many as a veiled threat against President Donald Trump with the phrase “86 47,” only to later delete the image and defend his actions on national television.
The saga began when Comey shared a photo of seashells on a beach, arranged in a way that some saw as provocative.
During a beach walk with his wife, Patrice, they stumbled upon the formation, prompting her to wonder aloud if it was someone’s address scratched in the sand.
“Did someone put their address in the sand?” Patrice mused, according to Comey. Well, that innocent question quickly spiraled into a political firestorm when the image hit social media.
Comey, apparently thinking he was clever, posted the photo on Instagram, tying it to the phrase “86 47,” which many interpreted as a call to “take out” the president.
He later claimed he meant it as a harmless quip, a nod to childhood slang for leaving a bad situation. But let’s be real—posting something so open to misinterpretation in today’s charged climate is like tossing a match into a powder keg.
On Tuesday night, Comey appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to douse the flames—and, conveniently, to plug his new legal thriller, “FDR Drive.”
He brought his wife into the narrative, crediting her with understanding “86” as a term to get rid of something from her days as a restaurant server. It’s almost touching, if it weren’t so tone-deaf, to see a former FBI chief lean on spousal anecdotes to dodge accountability.
Host Stephen Colbert chimed in with his own take, saying he knew “86” from bartending days as a way to boot a rowdy drunk. “I was a bartender, you would 86 a customer if they were getting drunk,” Colbert recalled. Fair enough, but slang doesn’t quite cover the optics of a public figure flirting with violent undertones, does it?
Comey doubled down, reminiscing about his own youthful use of the term. “I remember when I was a kid, you would say ‘86’ to get out of a place,” he told Colbert. Nostalgia is cute, but it’s hardly a shield when the Secret Service comes knocking—and yes, they did call him in for a chat over the post.
Eventually, Comey and Patrice concluded the seashell arrangement was likely a “clever political message,” a realization that came a bit late to save the day.
One has to wonder if a quick reality check before hitting “post” might have spared everyone the headache. Turns out, even cleverness has consequences in the digital age.
The Secret Service interview must have been a sobering moment for Comey, though details of that conversation remain under wraps. It’s a stark reminder that words—and images—carry weight, especially from someone with his history of high-profile decisions.
Late Thursday evening, Comey took to Instagram again, this time to clarify his intent and announce he’d removed the offending photo.
He wrote that he never meant to suggest violence and was unaware of how the numbers could be misconstrued. A little late for damage control, but at least it’s a step toward responsibility.
Still, his Instagram mea culpa raises eyebrows about judgment. If a former FBI director can’t foresee how a post might be taken, what does that say about navigating the rough waters of public discourse? It’s a lesson in thinking twice before sharing “clever” messages.
Comey’s explanation, while earnest, doesn’t fully erase the unease his post sparked among those already skeptical of his motives. From his perch at the FBI, he’s no stranger to controversy, and this latest blunder only fuels the narrative of a man out of touch with the gravity of his platform.
For conservatives who value strong leadership and clear communication, this episode is another mark against Comey’s credibility. It’s not about hating the man—it’s about expecting better from someone who once held such power. Actions, as they say, speak louder than beachside musings.