'This Is Wrong and This Is Racist': Target Pulls Halloween Costume, Apologizes After Backlash
Target removed the $25 costume after social media backlash and apologized, saying the item was offensive and should never have been sold.
- On Sunday, Target pulled the "Kids' Glows under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit" from its website after social media users alleged the design's exaggerated facial features resembled racist blackface and minstrel imagery.
- Social media users drew comparisons between the costume's exaggerated smile, the child model's pose, and historical Jim Crow-era caricatures; the $25 product was sold under Target's Hyde & EEK! Boutique collection.
- Blackface minstrelsy, which emerged in the 1830s, utilized exaggerated makeup and performances to mock African Americans; the National Museum of African American History and Culture describes these performances as "comedic performances of 'blackness' by whites in exaggerated costumes."
- This incident follows Target's 2025 decision to scale back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and its 2023 Pride Collection controversies, prompting observers to question whether diverse voices shaped the costume approval process.
- Target apologized Monday, stating "the costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment" and confirming it is "no longer available for sale." The company said it is "looking closely at how this happened" to prevent future errors.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Kids' Halloween costume pulled from supermarket shelves after woke outrage erupts in America
An American retailer has pulled a children's Halloween costume from supermarket shelves after a mass backlash.Target - which has more than 2,000 stores across the US - faced fury after photos of the costume circulated across social media. Critics said the gear, which the retailer was selling as a circus clown Halloween costume, resembled a racist caricature. An image of the outfit showed a black child wearing an orange and black top, black glove…
Target Apologizes for "Offensive" Halloween Costume for Kids
Target is issuing an apology. The retailer spoke out to address backlash over a children's Halloween costume that it was allegedly selling under the name "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus...
Target Halloween costume controversy explained: Why is US retail company facing backlash? Inside ‘racism’ allegations
Target said that it has pulled a controversial Halloween costume off its shelves after Netizens criticized it, claiming it resembled a racist caricature.
What Costume Did Target Remove? Halloween Item Sparked Controversy, Leading to an Apology
Target has been under fire after a racist Halloween costume was discovered on the company’s web store. The company has […] The post What Costume Did Target Remove? Halloween Item Sparked Controversy, Leading to an Apology appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News and Gossip
Target apologizes for children's clown Halloween costume after backlash
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
