Trump doubles down on ’86’ as mob term for murder after Comey indictment over alleged threat
Trump Doubles Down on ’86’ as Mob Term for Murder After Comey Indictment
Trump doubles down on 86 as mob – President Donald Trump has once again asserted that the term ’86’ is a code word for murder, specifically linking it to former FBI Director James Comey’s recent federal indictment. In a late-night social media post, Trump claimed that the phrase, when combined with ’47,’ signifies an order to eliminate him. This comes after Comey was indicted on Tuesday and appeared in court the following day, following his surrender in the Eastern District of Virginia.
The indictment alleges Comey threatened the president and his successors, as well as disseminated a threat through interstate commerce. Trump’s focus on the ’86 47′ symbolism gained traction after Comey shared a deleted Instagram post featuring seashells arranged to spell the numbers. The post, captioned ‘Cool shell formation on my beach walk,’ became central to Trump’s claim that the image was a coded message to assassinate him. Despite the lack of explicit context in the post, the president amplified the narrative, framing it as a calculated act of sabotage.
Trump’s Link to Mob Terminology
Trump’s interpretation of ’86’ as a mob-related directive to kill is a recurring theme in his public statements. He cited popular films as evidence, stating, “You ever see the movies? ’86 ’em’ — the mobster says to one of his wonderful associates, ’86 ’em.’ That means kill ’em.” This rhetoric aims to align Comey’s actions with organized crime imagery, suggesting a hidden agenda. The phrase ’86’ has been central to his claims, reinforcing a narrative of political betrayal and external threats.
“It’s — I think of it as a mob term,” Trump added, his tone reflecting both skepticism and confidence in the interpretation.
While the Department of Justice argues that ’86 47′ could be seen as a symbolic expression rather than a direct threat, the term’s association with the mafia has become a focal point in the debate. Trump’s assertion that ’86’ originates from gangster culture relies on a selective reading of historical references, though analyses of classic films show the phrase is not commonly tied to organized crime. Nevertheless, he continues to use the term to build a case against Comey, framing the situation as a larger conspiracy.
Cultural and Lexical Origins of ’86’
Lexical definitions of ’86’ highlight its everyday usage, often meaning to eject someone from a location or refuse service. For instance, Merriam-Webster Dictionary notes that the term can describe a bartender removing a customer or a restaurant clearing a table. American Heritage Dictionary traces the origin of ‘eighty-six’ to rhyming slang, where it derived from ‘nix,’ a term for cancellation or rejection.
These common interpretations contrast with Trump’s argument that the phrase represents a deadly command. The disconnect between the term’s standard meaning and its alleged connection to the mafia underscores the subjective nature of his claims. Yet, by repeatedly emphasizing ’86’ as a threat, Trump positions Comey’s actions as a deliberate attempt to incite fear among the public.
Senator Tillis Questions the Validity of the ’86’ Theory
Republican Senator Thom Tillis has challenged Trump’s interpretation of ’86’ as a mob-related term, stating, “I searched to the end of the internet last night, I can’t find one example where the number 86 had anything to do with a violent threat.” Tillis’s comment highlights the absence of concrete evidence linking ’86’ to assassination in historical or cultural contexts. He warned that assigning symbolic meaning to the phrase could lower the threshold for political threats, potentially impacting public perception of the justice system.
Tillis also noted that while ’86’ may carry multiple meanings, its use in the context of Comey’s Instagram post is open to interpretation. He acknowledged the possibility of deeper connections but emphasized the need for documented examples to substantiate the claim. This skepticism adds a layer of scrutiny to Trump’s assertion, questioning whether the term is being weaponized for political gain.
Legal and Political Implications
The Department of Justice’s use of the phrase ’86 47′ in the indictment suggests that symbolic language can be legally interpreted as a threat. However, the ambiguity of the term allows for varied meanings, from a casual reference to a coded message. Trump’s repeated emphasis on ’86’ as a mob term reflects a strategy to frame the situation in a way that aligns with his broader narrative of political enemies conspiring against him.
By leveraging the term in this manner, Trump not only reinforces his claim but also shifts the focus from the legal merits of Comey’s indictment to the cultural symbolism. This approach highlights the intersection of language, politics, and public perception, where a single phrase can become a battleground for interpretation. The ’86’ debate continues to fuel discussions about how political figures use rhetoric to shape narratives in real-time.