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James Comey court filings reveal wife's text before seashell post
Court filings in the presidential threat case involving former FBI Director James Comey have revealed new details regarding a social media post made in May 2025. An FBI search warrant affidavit indicates that two minutes before Comey uploaded an Instagram photo of seashells arranged to read ‘86 47’, his wife, Patrice Comey, sent him a Google screenshot defining the term ‘86’ as a nonviolent restaurant slang meaning an item is out of stock.
Comey has consistently argued that he had no intention of the post being perceived as a threat against Donald Trump. His defense team has characterized the definition provided by his wife as ‘benign’ and maintains that there were two separate searches: the initial search for the restaurant definition prior to the post, and a subsequent search conducted after the post drew public backlash.
Legal analysts suggest the timing of the text could be interpreted in multiple ways. Some argue it could imply forethought regarding how the post might be construed, while others suggest it supports Comey’s claim of innocence by providing a non-violent context for the numbers used.
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What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] James Comey has maintained that he did not know his seashell post could be interpreted as a violent threat against Donald Trump. wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com · pjmedia.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Comey’s lawyers describe the restaurant definition of ‘86’ as ‘benign’. wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The defense claims there were two distinct searches: one for the restaurant definition before the post, and another after the backlash began. wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] On May 15, 2025, Comey posted an image of shells arranged to read ‘86 47’ with the caption ‘Cool shell formation on my beach walk.’ wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] An FBI search warrant affidavit states Patrice Comey sent James Comey a screenshot defining ‘86’ as an item being out of stock two minutes before his Instagram post. wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com · pjmedia.com