The Trump campaign is accusing Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer of using a coded message against President Trump during an interview.
During the interview, behind her on the plant holder is a “86 45 display”
The “Trump War Room” official campaign Twitter account wrote
“Governor Gretchen Whitmer displayed an “86 45″ sign during her TV appearance. 8
6 can be shorthand for killing someone.
Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump just weeks”
The Trump War Room added a link to Wikipedia for “86’d”
They add “Gretchen Whitmer can’t have it both ways. These are the standards she set.”
You can see the “86 45” display in the official NBC News video of the interview with Whitmer.
Several on Twitter commented on the “86 45.”
Just noticed the 8645 pin in the lower corner of @GovWhitmer appearance on #MeetThePress pic.twitter.com/eyRYKyTlFP
— Kathy Gray (@michpoligal) October 18, 2020
I saw the annoying knick-knacks behind her but not “8645” —Trump, 45th president, 86–old cowboy term, 80 miles out of town, 6 feet under. @GovWhitmer wets her pants over threats, @realDonaldTrump gets millions of them! yet she sends a subliminal one? Crime? pic.twitter.com/R8M8gK1zM9
— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) October 18, 2020
Last night, I said the “lock her up” chant was wrong. And I believe that.
Well today, the Governor encouraged more hate by having an “8645” pin. (Attack? Kill?) This doesn’t help. This is wrong too.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too when it comes to civility and respect.
— Lee Chatfield (@LeeChatfield) October 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/SteveGuest/status/1317881577200824323?s=20
Others argued “86” can also just mean “remove.”
One Twitter user wrote “I worked in restaurants. We’d ’86’ something on the menu when we ran out of an ingredient. It just means to remove something.”
I worked in restaurants. We'd '86' something on the menu when we ran out of an ingredient. It just means to remove something. pic.twitter.com/TQV8UO9lPP
— Lard of Dorkness (@LardFDorkness2) October 18, 2020