James Comey's Instagram post '86 47' appears to be an attempt to put a 'hit' on POTUS

I asked X's Grok3 this question: what does it mean to "86" someone. Here is what it replied: 

To "86" someone means to remove, reject, or get rid of them, often in a context like a restaurant or bar. It can refer to refusing service to a customer (e.g., kicking out a disruptive patron) or canceling something, like an order. The term comes from American slang, possibly originating in the 1930s at soda fountains or diners, with one theory linking it to Chumley's bar in New York, which had an exit at 86 Bedford Street used to discreetly remove troublemakers. Another theory suggests it’s rhyming slang for "nix" (to cancel). It’s now used broadly to mean dismissing or eliminating someone or something.

So, the Secret Service is sniffing around after James Comey, the ex-FBI big shot, dropped an Instagram post that’s got the White House twisted. 

Picture this: seashells on a beach, arranged to spell out “86 47.” Harmless arts and crafts, right? Not when White House suits are screaming it’s a coded “hit” on the 47th president. Yeah, that 47th president.

Comey yanked the post after catching heat from lawmakers, Trump’s son, and the X mob. This is a guy who’s seen Trump dodge two assassination attempts, one where a bystander didn’t make it. So, you’d think he’d be smarter than to play sand-art cryptographer. 

The post pictured seashells in the sand, spelling out those numbers. “Cool shell formation on my beach walk…” Comey captioned it, like he’s just vibing, the way he did in the past in his nature walks through the forest. But “86”? That’s diner slang for icing someone. And “47”? Well, do the math—it’s the guy in the Oval Office next. And it isn't like Comey was clueless, him being the former FBI honcho and all.

The backlash was swift. 

One lawmaker—Rep. Tim Burchett, Trump’s friend from Tennessee, called for Comey’s arrest. Comey, probably sweating, deleted the post, claimed ignorance and threw up a mea culpa: “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.” 

Sure, Jimbo, you just stumbled into a conspiracy theory like it’s a sandcastle contest. After all, it isn't like the tide would have taken out the artwork minutes after it was laid out by the ocean.

Fox News Digital got the scoop that the Secret Service is on the case, sending agents to grill Comey. The FBI, where Comey used to call the shots before Trump gave him the boot, stayed silent. But word is, the higher-ups know what’s up. 

FBI Director Kash Patel, took to X, cool as ever: “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.” 

Maybe blame the tide

This whole mess feels like a rerun. Remember John Mulaney in 2020, cracking wise on SNL about Julius Caesar getting shanked and how it’d be “interesting” to bring that vibe back? The FBI wasn’t laughing then either. He said, “Another thing that happened under Julius Caesar, he was such a powerful maniac that all the senators grabbed knives, and they stabbed him to death. That would be an interesting thing if we brought that back now.” 

The White House isn’t letting this slide. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff, went off on X: “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. This is deeply concerning to all of us and is being taken seriously.” Etched in the sand, Taylor? That’s some poetic shade.

Burchett doubled down, demanding Comey’s cuffs. Look, when you’ve got Trump’s crew, the Secret Service, and half of X treating your beach pics like a manifesto, maybe stick to sunsets next time, Jimmy, or go back into the woods where you belong.

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