Target Pulls Children’s Halloween Costume and Apologizes After Blackface Comparisons

What Happened

Target removed a children’s Halloween costume from its website and stores Monday after shoppers said the design resembled racist blackface imagery and 19th-century minstrel show caricatures. The company issued an apology the same day. The product is no longer available for purchase anywhere on Target’s platforms.

The Costume

The item was called the Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume and was sold under Target’s seasonal private label Hyde and EEK! Boutique. The listing featured a young Black child model wearing an oversized grinning mask with exaggerated features, black gloves, and a clown bodysuit. Critics on social media quickly pointed out the visual similarities between the costume’s design and blackface makeup historically worn by white performers who mocked Black people in minstrel shows dating back to the 19th century. Many users questioned how the product made it through Target’s internal review process before going on sale.

Target’s Statement

Target acknowledged the mistake directly. The company said it knows it got this wrong and is deeply sorry. It described the costume as offensive and said it should never have been part of its assortment. The statement added that Target understands this is especially hurtful for its Black guests, team members, and partners. The company said it is reviewing how the costume made it into its lineup in the first place and what changes are needed to make sure it does not happen again.

A Difficult Year for Target

The costume controversy lands at a sensitive moment for the Minneapolis-based retailer. Target has faced repeated public backlash over the past three years — first over its handling of Pride Month merchandise in 2023, and more recently over its decision to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives following executive orders from President Trump targeting corporate DEI programs. The company eliminated roughly 500 positions across its distribution centers and regional offices in early 2026. Some critics argue the DEI rollback directly contributed to this situation, saying fewer diverse voices at the decision-making level means fewer people raising concerns before products go to market.
Sheletta Brundidge, a Minneapolis businesswoman and media personality who frequently comments on diversity issues, said the incident is a direct result of cutting DEI — because without those voices at the table, no one is raising the red flag.
Morningstar analyst Brett Husslein said the company had shown some signs of stabilizing under CEO Michael Fiddelke after a difficult stretch, but that recurring public controversies like this one make it harder to rebuild customer trust.

Stock Reaction

Despite the controversy, Target’s stock rose 2.7 percent during afternoon trading Monday.
Source: Reuters, CNN, TMZ, Newsweek, Detroit News, Star Tribune