Target pulls children’s Halloween costume after accusations of racist imagery

Target has taken down a children’s Halloween costume from its website after users on social media said the outfit resembled historic black-face and minstrel-show imagery. The product, marketed as the "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume Bodysuit" and priced at $25, was listed under the retailer’s Hyde & EEK! Boutique collection before screenshots circulated online.

Target said the costume was "offensive and should never have been part of our assortment" and that it was "especially hurtful" for Black customers, team members and partners. The company added that removing the item was "an important first step" and that it was reviewing how the product reached its assortment to prevent similar incidents.

The controversy spread across platforms such as Threads and TikTok, where some commenters compared the costume to 19th-century minstrel characters. The backlash coincided with broader criticism of Target’s recent diversity and inclusion policies, which have faced boycott calls from Black faith leaders and other groups. By Sunday, the product page was marked as unavailable, and Target has not indicated when or if the costume will return to its catalog.