Target Removes Costume After Backlash Over Minstrel Show Features

Target pulled a children's Halloween costume from sale Monday and issued a formal apology after critics online said the design resembled racist caricatures of Black people.

• The costume — 'Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown' — was sold under Target's Hyde and EEK Boutique brand.
• Its ad image showed a Black child in an orange-and-black suit with black gloves and a wide-grinned mask.
• 'As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry,' Target spokesperson Brian Harper-Tibaldo said.
• Target said the incident is 'especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners.'

Why it matters: The costume controversy lands as Target tries to rebuild standing with Black consumers after scaling back DEI programs in January 2025.

• A months-long boycott led by Black activists ended in March 2026 before this incident arose.
• Brett Husslein, a Morningstar analyst, said any optical or managerial misstep 'could lead to further market share losses' as Target works to repair its brand.

How 46 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage agrees on the basic facts; the dispute is whether the costume reflects a systemic gap left by the DEI rollback or is an isolated product-review failure.

What’s next: Target says it is examining how the costume passed internal review and what process changes are needed.

• Target's stock was up 2.7% in afternoon trading on the day of the apology.
• Who designed the costume, and at what stage did internal review fail to flag it?
• Will the incident reignite organized consumer boycotts that ended in March 2026?