Target apologizes after pulling offensive kids costume

Target apologized and pulled a children’s Halloween costume depicting a circus clown after backlash over claims it evoked Blackface and minstrel show imagery. Critics also pointed to promotional materials featuring a Black child modeling the outfit, and Target said the costume is no longer for sale.

The costume, listed under Target’s Hyde and EEK Boutique branding as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume,” was removed from the Target website Monday, according to CNN and the Dallas News. Target said the product was offensive and should never have been included.

"As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry," said Target in a statement.

Target added that the costume “is offensive” and “should never have been part of our assortment,” and that it was “no longer available for sale.”

"The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale," Target said in a statement.

In its response, Target acknowledged that the removal was especially important to Black guests, employees, and partners and said it was examining what led to the product appearing in stores.

"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," Target said in a statement.

Minneapolis-area business leader Sheletta Brundidge linked the controversy to what she called Target’s DEI rollback decisions after earlier company moves. She said the company must reconsider who is involved in reviewing and approving products.

"You rolled back diversity," said Sheletta Brundidge.

Business and civil-rights figures also criticized Target’s internal decision-making. Rev. Jamal Bryant, a Georgia pastor, said a minstrel-era costume should not have been designed or sold.

"A Jim Crow-era minstrel costume is not simply getting it wrong. It is a profoundly harmful symbol of racism that should never have been designed, approved, or sold by Target," said the Rev. Jamal Bryant, a Georgia pastor who led a 40-day “Target Fast” boycott last year.

Target has faced repeated scrutiny over diversity efforts, including ending its three-year DEI program in January 2025 and replacing it with a “Belonging” strategy, according to the Dallas News. Protest organizers said they have continued boycott efforts.

"It’s important for people to understand that the Target boycott never ended; that it was indefinite from the beginning, unless and until Target reversed course on its decision to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion," said Nekima Levy Armstrong, an organizer of the national Target boycott.

Another organizer, Jaylani Hussein, said the costume incident was not unexpected and predicted it could broaden public anger. CNN reported that Target shares were up 2.7% in afternoon trading, while the Dallas News said the stock closed at $163.47 on Aug. 25 after falling 3.78% from the prior close.

"It was almost predictable because of the behavior of Target, and I think this is going to build on the momentum of the boycott. More people are going to be upset," said Jaylani Hussein, another boycott organizer.