Disgraced Former FBI Chief Deletes ‘86 47′ Post That Got Kash Patel’s Attention

Former FBI Director James Comey landed himself in hot water over what he claimed was a “shell formation” that he’d just happened to stumble upon while walking down the beach.

Comey’s photo, which he shared via Instagram, showed seashells arranged to form the numbers “86” and “47” — which was interpreted to mean “get rid of” President Donald Trump, the 47th president. It quickly caught the attention of a number of critics — including current FBI Director Kash Patel.

“Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” he captioned the since-deleted post.

“Just James Comey causally calling for my dad to be murdered. This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!” Donald Trump Jr. posted via X.

Just James Comey causally calling for my dad to be murdered.

This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!! pic.twitter.com/4LUK6crHAT

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 15, 2025

“James Comey is posting cryptic messages online alluding to getting rid of President Trump. Would he like to explain what he means by this given the assassination attempts on President Trump? Take a look @FBIDirectorKash @FBI,” Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) added.

James Comey is posting cryptic messages online alluding to getting rid of President Trump.

Would he like to explain what he means by this given the assassination attempts on President Trump?

Take a look, @FBIDirectorKash @FBI. pic.twitter.com/NxnDM3xyti

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) May 15, 2025

“Don’t know how this can be interpreted as any other way but a threat against President Trump. James Comey should at the very least get a visit from the secret service. Also is everyone mentally ill?” Meghan McCain posted.

Don’t know how this can be interpreted as any other way but a threat against President Trump.

James Comey should at the very least get a visit from the secret service.

Also is everyone mentally ill? https://t.co/Gn4Hbpn98f

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) May 15, 2025

“This is a direct THREAT against President Trump, who has already survived two assassination attempts. BEYOND despicable. James Comey MUST face consequences,” Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) added.

This is a direct THREAT against President Trump, who has already survived two assassination attempts.

BEYOND despicable. James Comey MUST face consequences. pic.twitter.com/CVkXt0T1CO

— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) May 15, 2025

FBI Director Kash Patel responded via X, saying that the Bureau was aware of the post and was looking into the matter.

“We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump. We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support,” he said.

We are aware of the recent social media post by former FBI Director James Comey, directed at President Trump. We are in communication with the Secret Service and Director Curran. Primary jurisdiction is with SS on these matters and we, the FBI, will provide all necessary support.

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) May 15, 2025

Comey deleted the photo, following up with a post claiming that he’d just happened on the shells already arranged that way and had assumed the message was political rather than threatening.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by James Comey (@comey)

“I posted a picture earlier of some shells I saw on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” Comey said. “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.”

Critics didn’t buy Comey’s explanation, however.

Greg Price commented, “Comey deleted his threat against President Trump and posted a statement claiming he just randomly stumbled across Trump derangement syndrome shell art and had no idea what it meant. Yes, I’m sure the guy who once ran the FBI was just clueless on this one.”

Comey deleted his threat against President Trump and posted a statement claiming he just randomly stumbled across Trump derangement syndrome shell art and had no idea what it meant.

Yes, I’m sure the guy who once ran the FBI was just clueless on this one. pic.twitter.com/CjtJIzIxDL

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 15, 2025