Target faces renewed backlash after selling a Halloween costume with 'minstrel show features'

This incident comes as Target's sales are rebounding after previous controversies and a rollback of diversity efforts.

Target wants to know how something like this got through. But it’s not a mystery when the company has retreated from corporate diversity initiatives.

The incident is the latest reputational setback for the retailer as it works to rebuild consumer trust after recent controversies

Shares hit a 52-week high of $169.89 on Aug. 24. They fell 3.78% the next day, after Target pulled a costume critics called racist.

Retailer Target pulled a children's Halloween costume from its shelves after widespread social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.

Target pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its shelves after social media backlash, apologizing for selling a garment critics said evoked racist minstrel caricatures.

Target has pulled a children's Halloween costume after backlash over its resemblance to racist minstrel caricatures

Target has pulled a children's Halloween costume after backlash over its resemblance to racist minstrel caricatures

Target faces renewed backlash after stocking Halloween costume with ‘minstrel show features’  AP News

This isn't the first time Target has found itself facing criticism over diversity issues. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Target again finds itself in the cultural crosshairs — this time over an offensive Halloween costume. The retailer quickly apologized, but the episode marks a stumble in a turnaround year. The nature

Target shares slid as much as five per cent after the retailer apologized for and pulled a Halloween costume criticized for evoking Blackface.

Target pulls ‘offensive’ Halloween costume  Chicago Tribune

Target Stock Drops After Halloween Costume Criticized As Racist  Forbes

Target shares drop after Halloween costume backlash  Reuters

Target apologized after pulling a Halloween costume from its stores that critics said evoked racist blackface and minstrel imagery. “As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry,” Target said in a statement on Monday. “The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment.” The

Target pulled a Halloween costume from its online marketplace Monday after critics said it looked like a minstrel show character.  The image of “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume” was shared side-by-side with racist imagery popular in the 19th century, with social media users pointing out the

Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters Target has removed a racist Halloween “clown” costume that it was selling on Monday amid online backlash. The costume was titled “Kids’ Glows Under ‌Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume.“ Part of the seasonal “Hyde and EEK Boutique” brand, the costume drew blackface allegations as con

Target apologizes for ‘offensive’ costume  CNN

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

Target Apologizes For Children's Clown Halloween Costume Likened To Blackface  HuffPost

Target removed a controversial clown Halloween costume after backlash over imagery critics said evoked blackface and racist depictions of Black people.

The images were published on social media.

Critics said the children’s costume evoked blackface imagery. Target said, “We know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry.”

Target removed a Halloween costume from its shelves and issued an apology after some customers deemed it “racist.”  “An apology from us: We removed an offensive Halloween costume that should never have been part of our assortment,” Target wrote in a statement on Monday. “It is no longer for sale. As a company, we got .

US retail giant Target has been forced to apologise and pull a Halloween costume from sale after the outfit drew criticism for evoking blackface and minstrel shows.

Danni Scott | Live News reporter Published August 25, 2026 8:50am Updated August 25, 2026 9:54am Target has issued an apology for the ‘offensive’ outfit (Picture: REUTERS) US chain Target has apologised and removed a fancy dress costume from its stores after criticism that it was racist and offensive. The costume was m

The retailer pulled the kids' circus clown costume after social media users accused it of selling racist merchandise.

Target apologizes for 'offensive' Halloween costume after backlash  USA Today

Target has removed a children’s Halloween costume from its website after social media users pointed out that it closely resembled imagery from Jim Crow-era blackface minstrelsy. The $25 costume—listed as “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit”—featured a black-and-orange harlequin pattern

Retailer removes kid’s clown costume after people said it resembled a racist caricature used in minstrel shows Target, the US retail corporation, said it pulled a controversial Halloween costume off its shelves after criticism across social media that it resembled a racist caricature. The ad image for the costume, sold

The costume was accused of evoking blackface caricatures and minstrel-show imagery.