James Comey’s Instagram Shell Post Sparks Outrage: What Does “8647” Really Mean?
Former FBI Director James Comey is under fire after sharing a photo on Instagram that ignited a wave of controversy. The image, showing a group of seashells arranged in what appears to form the number “8647,” quickly caught attention online. Some interpreted it as a hidden message aimed at Donald Trump. Others believe it could be a simple misunderstanding. But the reactions, particularly from Trump allies, have made it a national talking point.
Comey, who led the FBI from 2013 to 2017 before being dismissed by Trump, has often been a lightning rod for political tension. But this latest controversy may have gone farther than anyone expected.
What Does 8647 Mean and Why Are People Angry?
In slang, the number “86” is commonly used in American restaurant and street culture to mean “get rid of” or “eliminate.” The number “47” is being interpreted by many as a reference to Donald Trump becoming the 47th President of the United States if he wins the 2024 election. When put together, some users are reading “8647” as a code suggesting harm or removal of Trump.
Comey’s caption for the image read, “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” But that didn’t stop social media users from jumping to conclusions. Critics, especially supporters of Trump, quickly accused Comey of using coded language to incite violence.
After the backlash, Comey removed the post and addressed the issue publicly.
“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. 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,” Comey wrote on Instagram.
Despite his explanation, the damage was already done.
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Donald Trump Jr. was one of the first high-profile figures to respond. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!”
Political commentator Laura Loomer followed up with a harsh post of her own: “Former FBI Director James Comey @Comey just posted this on his Instagram 2 hours ago, with the caption ‘cool shell formation on my beach walk’. It’s a pic of shells in the form of ‘86 47’. This is a call for the assassination of President Trump by the former FBI Director!”
Other users voiced their concern as well. One X user wrote, “He expects us to believe that he, a man that was in charge of the FBI, is unaware of gang or mafia code speak? I don’t buy it, I think it should warrant an investigation at bare minimum… James Comey is a vindictive person and dangerous!”
Another added, “This code has been in use for over 3 months now. He knows what it means, and he knows other people have been arrested over it.”
These posts pushed the issue into the hands of federal authorities.
According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, both the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security are actively investigating Comey’s Instagram post.
She stated on X, “Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of POTUS Trump. DHS and Secret Service is investigating this threat and will respond appropriately.”
At the time of writing, no charges have been filed and Comey has not been accused of any crime. However, the incident is now part of a formal investigation, showing just how seriously officials are taking this situation.
Comey’s Past Continues to Follow Him
This isn’t the first time James Comey has found himself at the center of controversy. From his handling of the Clinton email investigation to his firing by Trump, Comey’s actions have repeatedly drawn national scrutiny. His memoir and public speaking events have made him a visible figure long after leaving government.
Yet the shell photo shows how even a small act, like sharing an image from a beach walk, can ignite serious debate when politics are involved.
Whether Comey truly meant any hidden message or simply shared something he thought looked cool, the interpretation has taken on a life of its own. The number “8647” now sits in the middle of a political firestorm that could have serious consequences.
As of now, James Comey has not posted again on Instagram since deleting the original photo.
Stay tuned for updates as the investigation unfolds.
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