Donald Trump’s animosity toward James Comey largely stems from a series of events and conflicts during and after Comey's tenure as FBI Director. Key reasons include:
- Trump fired Comey in May 2017, officially citing Comey's handling of the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton's email controversy. However, the dismissal occurred while the FBI was actively investigating potential connections between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russian interference, raising suspicions Trump wanted to hinder that probe. Trump was reportedly angry with Comey for refusing to back his wiretap accusations against Barack Obama and for not defending him against collusion allegations. Comey also rejected Trump's request for personal loyalty, insisting on honesty instead. These actions led Trump to view Comey as disloyal and obstructive to his interests.
- The feud intensified as Comey became a vocal critic of Trump after being fired. Comey publicly criticized Trump as "morally unfit" to be president and accused him of constant lying and possible obstruction of justice. Trump responded by calling Comey a liar and a "slime ball," further inflaming tensions.
- Trump's supporters, particularly in the MAGA movement, view Comey as an embodiment of the so-called "deep state," accusing him of politicizing investigations and acting against Trump. The animosity grew with Comey's continued public critiques, book releases, and media appearances, which Trump’s base sees as self-serving attacks.
- Recently, the feud included controversy around a cryptic message by Comey referencing "8647," which some interpreted as a veiled threat against Trump as the 47th president. This intensified MAGA backlash and scrutiny from law enforcement agencies.
In summary, Trump’s hatred of Comey is rooted in perceived disloyalty, Comey’s refusal to support Trump’s assertions, Comey's role in sensitive investigations, and Comey's outspoken criticism of Trump after dismissal, which together created a bitter and ongoing political feud.
