Target Apologizes, Drops Costume Ahead Of Halloween Season After Backlash

August 25, 2026 11:06 AM ET Target yanked a children’s Halloween costume off its website and apologized publicly after shoppers accused the retailer of selling an outfit that mimicked racist caricatures of black Americans.The bodysuit carried a $25 price tag and appeared under the listing, “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit.” It belonged to the company’s seasonal Hyde & EEK! Boutique line. The orange and black clown outfit came with gloves, a top hat and a face covering with an exaggerated toothy smile. Website metadata indicated Target published the product earlier this summer, and the page went dark by Sunday behind a notice saying it was unavailable.The retailer issued its apology Monday through its corporate account on X. (RELATED: Data Center Backlas