Comey Comments On Beach Walk
In a move that ignited both criticism and curiosity, former FBI Director James Comey found himself again at the center of controversy—this time not in a hearing room, but on a windswept beach, thanks to an Instagram post featuring two conspicuously arranged numbers: “86” and “47.”
What appeared at first glance to be a casual beach photo quickly morphed into a lightning rod for debate, with critics accusing Comey of using coded imagery to suggest harm toward President Donald Trump, the 47th president of the United States.
The term “86” has long carried slang connotations ranging from cancellation to outright removal—often interpreted as “get rid of” or “eliminate.” When paired with “47,” many drew the conclusion that the post hinted at a sinister call to action directed toward Trump. The backlash was immediate, sharp, and severe enough to trigger involvement from the United States Secret Service. Even current FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly took notice.
🚨JAMES COMEY: “My wife and I were walking on the beach, and saw those numbers in shells on the beach…somebody else did it!” pic.twitter.com/LZ6GOX8inv
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 21, 2025
In response, Comey swiftly deleted the post and began a media campaign to explain away the controversy. He maintained that the photo depicted a chance discovery during a walk with his wife, and that neither of them had arranged the shells. But rather than put the issue to rest, his explanation—delivered during a sit-down on CBS’ “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert—only added fuel to the fire.
Comey insisted the post was an innocent misstep, an impromptu snapshot taken at his wife’s suggestion. He recounted their puzzled reaction to seeing the numbers in the sand, offering up a tale of mistaken interpretations and restaurant lingo. Yet, he simultaneously acknowledged the phrase “86” as something he knew from childhood, used in the context of ditching undesirable places.
What made matters worse for the former FBI chief was the apparent shift of blame. Rather than solely taking responsibility, he nudged attention toward his wife, implying that she had prompted the post.
“She said, ‘You should Instagram that.’ And then, boom,” Comey said, as if the resulting political explosion had emerged from a simple marital exchange.
To his critics, this wasn’t just a beachside blunder—it was a calculated wink masked as plausible deniability. To others, perhaps, it was an unfortunate coincidence amplified by Comey’s contentious history with Trump and the persistent fog of suspicion that has followed him since his 2017 firing.