Target: 20 rumors we've analyzed

In late August 2026, Target faced widespread backlash for listing a Halloween costume depicting a circus clown that looked similar to blackface imagery and historic minstrel shows. The company said in a statement that the outfit was removed from its site, saying it was "offensive and should never have been part of our assortment." As readers continued to express interest in the story, we took a look at other articles we've written about the retailer, beginning in 2004, when we confirmed Target did not allow Salvation Army bellringers to solicit donations on stores' premises. Since then, we've looked into numerous claims about the company, such as a satirical rumor that Target was opening cocktail bars in some locations, a claim that one of its frozen turkeys cost more than $123,000 and another rumor that the company blocked Israel from accessing and shopping on its site. Below are 20 articles we've written about Target: Sources Brown, Nicolas P., and Neil J. Kanatt. 'Target Apologizes for Children's Clown Halloween Costume after Backlash'. Reuters, 24 Aug. 2026, https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/target-apologizes-childrens-clown-halloween-costume-after-backlash-2026-08-24/.Christensen, Laerke. 'Target Removed Kid's Halloween Costume from Website amid Backlash over Blackface, Minstrel Imagery'. Snopes, 24 Aug. 2026, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/target-clown-costume-controversy/.Target Statement on Offensive Halloween Costume. https://corporate.target.com/press/statement/2026/08/target-statement-on-offensive-halloween-costume. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026. By Taija PerryCook Taija PerryCook is a Seattle-based journalist who previously worked for the PNW news site Crosscut and the Jordan Times in Amman. Article Tags