Previously we reported about a potentially threatening Instagram post by former FBI Director James Comey against President Trump.
On May 15, 2025, at 5:28 ET, Taylor Budowich, who identifies himself in his X bio as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary, took to X under the handle @Taylor47 to voice alarm over a threatening message directed at President Trump.
This aligns with his official role, as Budowich was appointed to serve in Donald Trump’s second administration as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel, as well as Assistant to the President, according to a Wikipedia entry updated on April 4, 2025.
In this capacity, he oversees the White House Office of Communications, Office of the Public Liaison, and Office of Cabinet Affairs, roles that also position him as a key figure in managing cabinet-level coordination, consistent with his self-described title of Cabinet Secretary. Budowich, a longtime Trump ally with a history of working on Trump’s political operations, including as the executive director of the MAGA Inc. super PAC during Trump’s 2024 campaign, suggested that the Instagram post by former FBI Director James Comey could be interpreted as “a hit” on the sitting president. He noted that the message was particularly concerning given that Trump was on an international trip to the Middle East at the time, emphasizing that the matter was being taken seriously by Trump’s allies.
“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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/RF0Dl3t1JF
— Taylor Budowich (@Taylor47) May 15, 2025
The numbers “86 47” at the heart of the controversy carry significant symbolic weight. The term “86” is widely recognized slang for eliminating or killing someone, a definition supported by sources like Merriam-Webster, while “47” directly references Trump as the 47th U.S. president, a point highlighted in a May 15, 2025, report by The Post Millennial. This combination has been used before as a form of anti-Trump protest, with platforms like TikTok popularizing “8647” as a coded expression of opposition, according to a Distractify article from March 15, 2025. Comey’s post, viewed in this context, took on a charged meaning, particularly given his fraught history with Trump. Comey was famously fired by Trump in 2017 during the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, an event that sparked widespread debate about obstruction of justice, as detailed in Comey’s Wikipedia entry. This history fueled speculation that the beach message was not a mere coincidence but a deliberate provocation.
Budowich’s post on X quickly drew a wave of reactions from Trump supporters, amplifying the controversy. Many, including Donald Trump Jr., who accused Comey of “calling for my dad to be murdered” in a statement reported by The Post Millennial, saw the post as a clear threat. Replies to Budowich’s post referenced 18 U.S. Code § 871, a federal law that criminalizes threats against the president, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison, as outlined by Cornell Law School. Users like Shawn Farash questioned whether the Secret Service would investigate Comey, while others, such as Ryan Fournier, pointed to Comey’s law enforcement background, suggesting he knew exactly what the numbers implied. The outrage was palpable, with users like Matt Van Swol expressing shock that a former FBI Director would make such a statement, and others, like Michele, calling for Comey’s arrest to restore accountability.
Comey’s past adds another layer of complexity to the situation, but his actions in 2025 have drawn scrutiny. His firing by Trump in 2017, amid the Russia investigation, was a flashpoint in Trump’s first term, with some, including nut job “legal scholars” like Ryan Goodman, arguing that Trump’s decision may have constituted obstruction of justice, according to Wikipedia. The lingering tension between Comey and Trump’s circle has now resurfaced, with Budowich’s post, amplified by his influential position as White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary, highlighting a broader conflict between Trump’s allies and former law enforcement officials who have been critical of his presidency.
The incident underscores the deep divisions that continue to define American political discourse, where even a seemingly innocuous beach photo can ignite a firestorm of accusations and legal threats.
Additionally, it looks like Comey might be trying to use this opportunity to pump book sales.
