Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume and issued a public apology after shoppers said the outfit echoed racist caricatures of Black Americans.
‘We got this wrong’
In a statement posted Monday on its corporate X account, Target wrote: “An apology from us: We pulled an offensive Halloween costume that should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer for sale. As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners.” The post was dated Aug. 24, 2026, on the @TargetNews account.
The costume at the center
The kids’ bodysuit, listed at $25 under the title “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit,” appeared in Target’s seasonal Hyde & EEK! Boutique line, according to the source article. The orange-and-black clown outfit included gloves, a top hat, and a face covering with an exaggerated toothy smile. The source said website metadata indicated the listing went live earlier in the summer; by Sunday, the page showed it was unavailable.
Backlash and the image that spread
Critics circulated screenshots on social media and drew parallels between the design and Jim Crow–era minstrel shows, according to the source article. Objections centered on a promotional image that appeared to show a Black child modeling the costume. Minneapolis-area business leader Sheletta Brundidge tied the episode to corporate culture, telling Reuters: “You rolled back diversity, so who’s in the room, now, to say ‘hey, this is wrong?’”
Unanswered questions—and market context
Reuters reported that Target would not say who designed the costume or explain how it passed internal review. The outlet also noted the retailer has posted two stronger quarters under new Chief Executive Michael Fiddelke, with gains attributed to price cuts and product updates, and that shares rose 2.7% Monday afternoon. “As Target begins to gain traction in repairing its brand reputation, this is exactly the kind of stuff they want to avoid,” Morningstar analyst Brett Husslein told Reuters.
