Sweater Target Sparks Controversy Photo

MINNEAPOLIS — Back in early October 2016, a simple holiday sweater from retail giant Target turned into a flashpoint for outrage online, leaving shoppers and critics alike scratching their heads.

The trouble started when a photo of the sweater circulated on social media. It featured a design that some people swore looked like the Twin Towers from 9/11, complete with what appeared to be smoke and flames. Target had released the item as part of its Halloween lineup, but the pattern—meant to be a playful take on a city skyline—quickly drew fire. Folks posted pictures and vented on Twitter and Facebook, calling it tasteless and insensitive, especially with the 15th anniversary of the attacks still fresh in many minds. One user shared a zoomed-in shot that went viral, and suddenly, the sweater was everywhere in comment sections.

As the backlash grew, Target pulled the item from shelves faster than you could say “controversy.” Company reps issued a statement admitting they hadn’t intended any harm, but that didn’t stop the debate. Some defended it as an innocent mistake, while others pointed to deeper issues about corporate oversight and sensitivity to historical events. It was one of those moments that made you wonder how something like that slips through the cracks in a big operation.

In the end, the episode highlighted how quickly a single photo can ignite a storm in the digital age. Target dodged a bigger hit by acting fast, but it served as a reminder that not every design choice lands the way companies hope. People moved on, but for a few days, that sweater was the talk of the town, mixing holiday cheer with a dose of real-world awkwardness.