Target Pulls a New Halloween Costume and Apologizes After Backlash
Target has pulled a children’s Halloween costume and issued a public apology after backlash from critics who argued the clown design evoked blackface and racist minstrel imagery. The retailer removed the product and shared an apology on Monday, August 24, calling the costume offensive and confirming it is no longer for sale.
Target Features Offensive Costume
The costume, sold as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume” as part of Target’s seasonal Hyde & EEK Boutique line, featured product photos of a young Black child modeling a black-and-orange printed bodysuit and hood with an exaggerated grin and a mini top hat. Critics on social media pointed out that the design, along with the child’s raised-arm waving pose, evoked blackface and Jim Crow-era minstrel caricatures, and the backlash spread quickly across platforms. The listing was subsequently deleted.
Target’s Apology
Target apologized in a statement shared publicly on Monday. “As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry,” the retailer stated, describing the costume as “offensive” and noting that it “should never have been part of our assortment.” The company added that the item had been removed and was no longer available for purchase. Target also acknowledged the specific harm caused, stating, “We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners.”
A Pattern of Scrutiny
The apology marks the latest reputational challenge for the Minneapolis-based retailer, which has been working to recover from a stretch of weak sales. It follows earlier criticism over the company’s handling of its 2023 Pride Collection and, more recently, its rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Some critics online explicitly connected the costume to that DEI rollback, questioning whether reduced internal oversight played a role in the product reaching shelves, a link Target has not directly addressed.
For now, the retailer has removed the item and apologized, and the response online remains ongoing as shoppers continue to weigh in.
