Target has apologized and removed a children’s Halloween costume from sale after widespread criticism that the design evoked racist stereotypes associated with blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows.
The product, listed as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume” (or similar variations such as the Kids’ Circus Glow Clown Costume Bodysuit), was part of the retailer’s seasonal Hyde & EEK! Boutique private-label brand and sold for about $25.
Target issues an apology and pulls a children’s Halloween costume after backlash over its resemblance to blackface and minstrel imagery
It featured an orange-and-black clown-style outfit, black gloves, a small top hat, and a mesh mask or face covering shaped like a wide, exaggerated grinning mouth with large teeth. A promotional image on Target’s website showed a Black child modeling the costume, sometimes in a pose that critics compared to Jim Crow-era caricatures.
Social media users quickly shared screenshots and argued that the combination of elements—particularly the dark face covering, oversized smile, gloves, and presentation—mirrored historical minstrel-show imagery that caricatured and demeaned Black people. Minstrel shows were a form of 19th-century American theater built around such stereotypes.
On Monday, August 24, 2026, Target confirmed it had stopped selling the item and issued a statement acknowledging the mistake. “As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry,” the company said. “The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale. We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners. Removing the costume is an important first step, and the company is looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again.”
The product listing was deleted from Target’s website. The controversy adds to a series of recent reputational challenges for the Minneapolis-based retailer, which has faced criticism over its handling of Pride merchandise in prior years and changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Some observers linked the oversight to those earlier shifts, while others noted the company’s rapid response in pulling the item and issuing an apology.
Target has not provided further details on the design process or the specific individuals involved in approving the costume. The retailer operates roughly 2,000 stores across the United States.
