Target reviews costume approval processes following clown costume backlash
Target apologized for an offensive clown costume and committed to reviewing approval processes.
Event / Politics
Target Diversity Policy Reversal
Target faced backlash over a children's Halloween costume criticized as evoking blackface and minstrel imagery. The company removed the product, apologized, and acknowledged the offense to Black customers and employees. The incident occurred as Target was scaling back diversity initiatives in response to federal policy changes.
1 reported locations
Daily activity
2 articles0 articles
2026-08-25 to 2026-11-08 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 25 Aug, 04:04 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Target apologizes for offensive costume, commits to reviewing internal processes
Target issued an apology stating "we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment." Company spokesperson Brian Harper-Tibaldo acknowledged the costume was especially hurtful for Black guests, team members, and partners. Target stated it is investigating how the costume was approved and what changes are needed to prevent similar incidents.
Target pulls Kids' Circus Clown Halloween Costume after backlash
Target removed a children's Halloween costume sold as the "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume" from its Hyde and EEK Boutique brand following widespread social media backlash. Critics accused the costume of evoking blackface and 19th-century minstrel show imagery.
Target's diversity rollback linked to criticism over costume approval
Social media critics noted Target had recently cut its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives after President Donald Trump returned to the White House and issued executive orders targeting DEI programs. Target had previously scaled back initiatives aimed at increasing representation of Black employees and supporting Black-owned businesses and suppliers.
Target pulled children's Halloween clown costume over offensive imagery
Target removed a children's Halloween costume sold as "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown" from its assortment after social media backlash. Critics said the costume appeared to evoke blackface and 19th-century minstrel show imagery. The costume was part of Target's Hyde and EEK Boutique seasonal brand.
Target scaled back diversity, equity and inclusion policies
Target joined a broad corporate retreat from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, backtracking on efforts to boost representation of Black employees and support Black-owned suppliers. The company said it needed to align with "the evolving external landscape" following Trump's executive orders aimed at eliminating what Trump called "illegal DEI."
Target issued public apology for costume removal
Target issued a public statement apologizing for the Halloween costume, stating "As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment." The company acknowledged the costume was especially hurtful to Black guests, team members, and partners.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Target walks back diversity initiatives after costume controversy
Target scaled back DEI policies following a costume controversy and public apology.