Trump Admits He’s Not Sure James Comey Was Trying to Kill Him

The accusations leveled by President Donald Trump against his alleged political opponents have become so flimsy that even he doubts their credibility.

On Wednesday, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked Trump about the Justice Department’s latest target: former FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump unsuccessfully tried to imprison last year. (The case was dismissed after the courts ruled Trump’s own appointment of the attorney general illegal. Masterstroke, Mr. President!)

The latest accusation rests on a photo Comey posted on Instagram last year, showing seashells arranged on a beach to form the number “8647.” The term “86” is often used in restaurants to cancel a dish, leading the Justice Department to draw the rather logical conclusion that it is a death threat against Trump.

Collins asked Trump if he truly believed Comey was threatening his life with the post.

“Well, if anyone knows anything about crime, they know the number 86,” Trump replied. “It’s an expression gangsters use to mean ‘kill them.’ Have you ever seen any movies?… I think it’s a gangster expression. I don’t know.”

Trump then launched into a tirade against gangsters before Collins wisely interrupted him: “Do you really believe your life was in danger?”

“Probably, I don’t know,” Trump replied. “People like Comey have created tremendous danger, I think, for politicians and others. You know, Comey is a dirty cop. He’s a very dirty cop. He cheated on the elections.”

While Trump’s rambling monologues are entertaining, his “maybe, I don’t know” wouldn’t hold up in court. Comey could easily defend himself by saying his shell artwork simply meant he wanted to get rid of the president.

Even some Republicans in Congress have expressed reservations about indicting Comey, as it’s clear the average American cares little about Trump’s vengeful actions. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a member of the Judiciary Committee, expressed skepticism about the credibility of the Comey case.

“I’ve used the number ‘86’ many times, and I never meant to imply that anyone was killed,” Tillis told The Washington Post.

Representative Troy Niles called the case “blown out of proportion,” adding, “Anyone can be charged with anything.”