After facing criticism for selling a children’s circus clown Halloween costume that critics claimed evoked blackface and minstrel shows, Target has publicly apologized.
The $25 costume was advertised as “Kids’ Glow under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit,” and was sold in Target’s Hyde & EEK! Boutique line.
In an Instagram post Sunday, the Afrocentric Films Collaborative said the item “sparked backlash online, with critics arguing that its exaggerated facial design closely resembled racist caricatures historically associated with blackface and minstrel performances.”
The post read, “The $25 costume was listed as the ‘Kids’ Glows under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit’ from Target’s Hyde & EEK! Boutique line. The design featured an orange-and-black clown outfit, black gloves and a dark face covering with an exaggerated smiling mouth. We still shopping at Target?”
Target said in a statement, “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.”
The controversial costume was manufactured by a Target-owned brand, not from a vendor or third-party seller, the retailer’s spokesperson said.
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Representatives at the NAACP’s Black Consumer Advisory could not be reached immediately for comment Monday afternoon.
In its most recent earnings reported, Target’s second-quarter earnings lifted confidence in the retailer’s turnaround efforts and its 2026 outlook. For the quarter ended Aug. 1, net sales rose 5.3 percent to $26.5 billion, from $25.2 billion a year ago, beating Wall Street’s projection that sales would rise 3.5 percent to $26.1 billion to $26.15 billion. Target’s stock closed Monday at $169.89 — up 2.69 percent.
Target has weathered a few backlashes through the years including in 2023, when “tuck friendly” swimwear that was introduced for the chain store’s LGBTQ+ Pride month assortment created much online debate. Last year the company’s decision to scale back its diversity, equity and inclusion program also caused some scrutiny.
