FACT CHECK: Did Gov. Whitmer encourage violence against President Trump?

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faces allegations that she encouraged violence against President Trump following a televised appearance in which she displayed an “86 45” sign. The numbers, which were set up on her desk, were clearly visible throughout her speech.

According to the Trump War Room, one of President Trump’s campaign accounts, “86 can be shorthand for killing someone,” with 45 clearly referencing President Trump, the 45^th President of the United States.

“Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump just weeks after someone sent a ricin-laced package to the White House,” the account wrote.

The claim was dismissed by numerous observers who pointed out that “86” refers not to killing, but to ejecting someone from the premises, or canceling them.

86 can be interpreted in two ways. According to Wikipedia, “Eighty-six, eighty-sixed, 86ed, or 86'd is American English slang for canceling something, getting rid of something (by burying it), ejecting someone, or refusing service.”

According to St. Louis Magazine’s dining columnist George Mahe, the genesis of the term “86” has multiple origins, several of which are restaurant-related to mean eject or evict.

Mentalfloss suggests that the true origin of the phrase refers to burials.

“Perhaps the birth of this phrase occurred in death? The last time you can be ‘86’d’ might be when they put you under the ground, as most standard graves are 8 feet long and 6 feet deep," the publication states.

Regardless of Whitmer’s personal intentions, the phrase can undoubtedly be read in one or two ways—one of which calls for a violent outcome for the US President. Given the recent assassination attempt on the President and calls from violent extremists to retake the White House “by any means necessary,” Whitmer’s use of the code is ill advised.