Elon Musk responds to ex-FBI director James Comey's '8647' post 'targeting' Donald Trump: 'Advocating murder of the President…'

James Comey , former FBI director stirred controversy with a crypto post on Instagram, that many are interpreting as a threat against President Donald Trump . The post, now deleted, had a photo of seashells arranged in an order to form the number “8647”. “Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” the post was captioned. Trump supporters, members of congress including Tesla CEO Elon Musk , far-right activist Laura Loomer and current FBI director Kash Patel have criticized the post.

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

Elon Musk, a close confidante of Trump responded to the post, saying “Advocating murder of the President is a serious crime”.

Advocating murder of the President is a serious crime

— Kekius Maximus (@elonmusk) May 16, 2025

What does 8647 mean
As mentioned earlier, many are interpreting 8647 as a call for the murder of Trump. In American slang, 86 is generally referred to as “get rid of,” “eject,” or “remove.” While 47 has no direct interpretation, but is seen by many as a reference to the 47th President of the United States.

Incidentally, Trump is the US 47th President. Put these two interpretations together and 8647 is decoded as a threat to ‘eliminate’ Trump, as suggested by his supporters.

FBI Director Kash Patel responds

In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote “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.”

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

Trump ally Laura Loomer also posted on X, saying:

“WOW! 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!”

WOW!

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! pic.twitter.com/Q4qIBbvvmt

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 15, 2025