NEW YORK (PIX11) — While it’s not quite Halloween season yet, Target is facing backlash for a controversial children’s costume that has been pulled from the shelves.
The costume, labeled as “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume,” created a commotion, as it was pointed out that the design resembled blackface and minstrel imagery.
In response, Target released a statement on Monday evening that reads:
“We removed an offensive Halloween costume that should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer for sale. As a company, we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners. Removing the costume is an important first step, and we are looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again.”
After the apology, Target’s social media platforms were flooded with comments, questioning the decision to release the outfit. Some comments asked, “How the heck was that ever allowed to happen?” and “Who approved the costume in the first place?”
The costume has since been removed from Target’s website.
Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.
Target pulls Halloween costume from shelves: ‘We got this wrong’
