Target has apologized and removed a children's circus clown Halloween costume from its stores after facing backlash online. Critics accused the costume of evoking Blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows, leading to accusations that the Minneapolis-based retailer was selling racist merchandise.
The costume, sold under Target's seasonal Hyde and EEK Boutique brand as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume,” was no longer available for sale after the social media criticism.
“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,” said company spokesperson Brian Harper-Tibaldo. “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 incident comes amid a period of reputational challenges for Target. In 2023, the retailer faced criticism for its handling of its Pride Collection. This followed a broader corporate trend of scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives after former President Donald Trump's administration issued executive orders aimed at these programs. Target had stated it needed to align with the “evolving external landscape” when it reduced efforts to increase Black employee representation and support Black-owned businesses. This reversal also drew criticism from some Black consumers and business owners who had benefited from Target's diversity efforts.