Trump Accuses Comey of Threatening Him with '86 47' Phrase

Political Turmoil in the U.S.

A significant political and legal controversy has emerged in the United States as President Donald Trump has accused former FBI Director James Comey of making a subtle death threat with the phrase '86 47.' This issue stems from a social media post by Comey, which prosecutors now claim could be interpreted as a threat against the current president. In a pointed reaction, Trump clarified the phrase's meaning, stating: '86' is a term used by mobsters to mean 'kill him.' He elaborated that '86 47' translates to 'kill President Trump.' Trump further emphasized, 'James Comey knows this very well! EIGHT MILES OUT, SIX FEET DOWN!'

Legal Proceedings and Diverse Perspectives

Legal Action And Competing Interpretations

Federal prosecutors have taken a strong position, charging Comey with two counts related to threatening the president's life. The indictment states that 'a reasonable recipient would interpret' the post as a serious indication of intent to cause harm. However, this interpretation is being challenged not only politically but also culturally. In the hospitality sector, where the term '86' is commonly used, many have expressed disbelief.

Mike Reyes, a consultant in the industry, remarked that '86' is one of the most frequently used terms in hospitality, simply indicating that an item is unavailable. He explained, 'Whenever something runs out, it gets 86-ed,' describing it as standard workplace jargon. Restaurant owner David Brungoli dismissed the notion of a threat as 'ridiculous,' asserting that the term has been in use for ages to signify that something is no longer available.

Exploring the Origins of '86'

Origins Of ‘86’ And The Mob Narrative

The discussion has broadened to include the origins of the term itself, which is more folklore than fact. Linguistic scholars trace its roots back to early 20th-century American dining culture, where it referred to items that were sold out or customers who were denied service. Linguistics professor Nicole Holliday noted that the term has been around since at least the 1930s, reinforcing its long-standing non-violent connotation. Merriam-Webster defines '86' as slang for 'to throw out' or 'to refuse service,' complicating claims that it inherently suggests violence.

Even in organized crime narratives, the connection remains weak. Zach Jensen from the Mob Museum described the '8 miles out, 6 feet down' explanation as 'a modern urban legend,' stating that there is 'no documented evidence' linking the term's origin to mob-related killings. Nevertheless, Trump has reiterated this interpretation, telling reporters, 'If anyone knows anything about crime, it’s a mob term for kill him.' He acknowledged other meanings but insisted that the criminal interpretation is prevalent in specific contexts.