Martha Stewart faces backlash over Halloween costume and apology on Instagram

Martha Stewart drew criticism on Instagram after posting a Halloween costume that depicted a homeless person, prompting accusations that the portrayal was insensitive. The costume featured torn clothing, dirt on the face and a cardboard sign. Actor Indya Moore, known for the series Pose, commented that a wealthy individual dressing as a homeless person does not raise awareness but highlights a disconnect between wealth and poverty.

Moore suggested that genuine concern for poverty would involve supporting policies such as richer tax rates, free food, healthcare and education, and described Stewart's apology as a "manipulative counter-attack." She added that many of Stewart's followers are not affluent and that questioning the costume's intent is reasonable.

Stewart posted an initial apology on the weekend, later deleted it and issued a second statement on Instagram, saying, "> It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up. My earlier statement didn’t go far enough. I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry."

Responses on the platform were mixed. Some users dismissed the controversy, while others criticized the apology as a "highlighted, uncropped screenshot" that failed to address the core issue. Comments on Stewart's branded account also expressed disapproval, accusing the post of being tone-deaf and self-promotional. The episode underscores ongoing debates about how public figures address social issues on social media.