Target pulls 'offensive' Halloween costume critics accused of evoking blackface: 'We are deeply sorry'

 The costume was sold as the "Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume," as stated in the now-deleted listing.It was part of the retailer's seasonal Hyde and EEK Boutique brand.Target removed the "offensive" costume and said it should never have been in their stores.

Target has apologized for a circus clown Halloween costume that critics accused of evoking blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo / Reuters Photos)

The company admits they made a mistake and feels really bad about it.The costume is considered offensive and was never supposed to be in their selection.It is no longer for sale, according to Brian Harper-Tibaldo, a company spokesperson, as quoted by FOX Business.

He added that this is especially painful for Black customers, employees, and partners.
Taking the costume off is the first step, and the company is looking into how this happened and what needs to be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

This decision follows criticism on social media, where people accused the Minneapolis-based store of selling racist items.

The costume was sold as the "Kids' Glows Under ‌Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume." (iStock / iStock)

A user on Threads said, "You really don’t have anyone in Minneapolis left to tell you, 'That’s racist'?You cut diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and now your website has a minstrel clown costume for kids on it." This follows several recent issues that have damaged the retailer's reputation and hurt sales, including how Target handled its Pride Collection in 2023 and its decision to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts after President Donald Trump came back to the White House.

Target removed the "offensive" costume and said that it should never have been featured in its stores. ( Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Target joined a wide company effort to reduce diversity programs after Trump made several executive orders to stop DEI efforts.The store cut back on programs meant to help more Black workers and support Black-owned businesses and suppliers.They said they needed to keep up with "the changing outside world." This change upset some Black customers and business owners who had supported or gained from Target’s diversity work.

Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes sold at Target stores nationwide are included in a voluntary recall announced June 2026. (FDA / Unknown) 

Target is recalling several Up & Up baby wipes products that are sold across the country after tests found harmful bacteria that could lead to serious infections, especially in babies and young children.On Friday, the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared a recall notice stating that Target is voluntarily recalling specific batches of Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes due to customer reports of discoloration.

A Target spokesperson told FOX Business, "We care deeply about the safety of our guests and our products.
Out of an abundance of caution, Target has voluntarily recalled Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Baby Wipes."

The FDA found the presence of Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli in samples of the affected wipes.

Health officials warned that products with the bacteria could cause serious and possibly life-threatening infections.These wipes are mainly used on newborns, infants, and young children, who are more at risk because their immune systems are still developing.

The FDA said that healthy people who use these contaminated wipes on skin with small cuts or scrapes might get infections in that area.
But for people with weakened immune systems, newborns, and young children, the infection could spread into the blood and lead to sepsis or pneumonia.

The recalled wipes were made by the supplier Sapro Temizlik Urunleri and were sold at Target stores across the country as well as on Target.com.

A three-pack of Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes is shown. Target is recalling certain baby wipes products after FDA testing identified potentially harmful bacteria in product samples. (FDA / Unknown)

The recall affects multiple sizes of Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes, including 20-count, 72-count, 216-count, 800-count and 1,200-count packages, as well as Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes sold in 72-count, 216-count and 800-count packages.

Consumers are being urged to stop using the recalled wipes immediately and return them to any Target store for a full refund.

Target said customers seeking additional information can contact Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680.

The recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Target said it is continuing to investigate the matter in coordination with the manufacturer.