Target has removed a children’s Halloween costume from sale and issued an apology after the item drew widespread criticism for its resemblance to blackface and minstrel-show imagery.
The costume, listed as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume” and sold under the retailer’s Hyde & EEK! Boutique brand for about $25, featured a dark face covering with an exaggerated wide smile, along with orange-and-black clothing and gloves. Social media users said the design and promotional images evoked racist caricatures historically used in blackface performances and minstrel shows.
In a statement issued Monday, Target said: “As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. 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.”
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.…
— Target News (@TargetNews) August 24, 2026
How bad could the costume b-
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) August 25, 2026
oh. https://t.co/MVysynPCK2 pic.twitter.com/Oi4U7ixdUZ
The product was pulled from Target’s website after screenshots circulated online. The company declined to detail who designed the costume or how it was approved for sale, according to reports from Reuters and other outlets.
The episode adds to recent challenges for the Minneapolis-based retailer, which has faced criticism over changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies and earlier controversies involving seasonal merchandise.
Target said the costume is no longer available.
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