Target removed a Halloween costume from its shelves and issued an apology after some customers deemed it “racist.”
“An apology from us: We removed an offensive Halloween costume that should never have been part of our assortment,” Target wrote in a statement on Monday. “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 statement from Target continued. “Removing the costume is an important first step, and we are looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again.”
Photos of the costume, which was called “Kids’ Glows under Blacklight Circus Clown,” include a young black child modeling the outfit. The costume consisted of a black and orange printed bodysuit and hood with an oversized smile and mini top hat.
Target issues an apology after being accused of selling a racist Halloween costume: “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… pic.twitter.com/coWku7P6AF
— evie (@Eviemagazine) August 25, 2026
The listing and photos led customers to compare the costume to the concept of blackface performances from the Jim Crow era. This was exacerbated by the way the model was posing, which led to numerous side-by-side comparisons of minstrel show imagery.
The Instagram comments section under Target’s post was surprisingly left on, leaving the door open for a barrage of negative comments and accusations of racism. Some followers claimed this never would have happened if Target had not rolled back their DEI initiatives last year.
“Ummm this is what happens when D.E.I. is not honored because somebody should have been looking at that,” one person predicted.
“You know how many eyes within corporate had to see this and give their approval?” another follower wrote.
“I think donating 100% of your Halloween costume sales to black women’s maternal health programs. NAACP. Urban schools. And urban community programs would be a start,” another comment, which received more than 6,000 likes, suggested.
Others said the whole thing was an overreaction.
“People want to be offended about everything,” one reaction said. Others insisted there would have been no backlash if the model was white.