Halloween is often a night when celebrities test the line between a clever pop culture reference and a public misstep, and in 2026, that line was crossed repeatedly.
Several Hollywood veterans, reality stars, influencers, and even a member of the presidential cabinet turned their costumes into national talking points, with backlash spanning racial insensitivity, the trivialization of serious crimes, and mockery of grief, homelessness, and child safety.
Social media ultimately turned each post into a rapid-fire referendum on taste and the lack of awareness usually associated with the wealthy and powerful.
Below are eleven costumes that drew some of the year's most heated reactions.
#1 Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart's costume sparked one of the most sustained backlashes of Halloween 2026.
She posted, then deleted, an Instagram photo showing herself in tattered clothing, with dirt-like makeup smeared across her face and a sign reading, "I'm hungry. Help me!"
The look was widely understood as a depiction of someone experiencing homelessness, and critics argued that it turned economic hardship into a joke.
Stewart initially said she had intended to raise awareness about homelessness and had not meant to offend anyone.
After the criticism continued, she issued a fuller apology, acknowledging that her earlier response "didn't go far enough" before admitting, "wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny."
She posted, then deleted, an Instagram photo showing herself in tattered clothing, with dirt-like makeup smeared across her face and a sign reading, "I'm hungry. Help me!"
The look was widely understood as a depiction of someone experiencing homelessness, and critics argued that it turned economic hardship into a joke.
Stewart initially said she had intended to raise awareness about homelessness and had not meant to offend anyone.
After the criticism continued, she issued a fuller apology, acknowledging that her earlier response "didn't go far enough" before admitting, "wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny."
Image credits: marthastewart48
Netizens, however, wanted her to make a real-world effort to address the matter rather than settle for an online apology.
"How about she donated to a homeless shelter instead of writing in on her iPhone notes," one person asked.
Others were more cynical about the apology itself, with one arguing, "She only apologized cause we said something. If we did not say anything, she would never have apologized. Rich people never care."
Report
3points
#2 Brooke Rollings
Rollins, who serves as Agriculture Secretary in the current Trump administration, used Halloween to highlight the president's aggressive crackdown on government benefits fraud.
She became part of the Halloween controversy through a political social media post rather than a personal costume.
On X, she shared a mock Spirit Halloween costume package labeled "SNAP Fraudster," featuring a Black man standing in front of stacks of cash, holding a burning dollar bill, and raising his middle finger.
The caption read, "Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence."
The post was quickly interpreted as carrying a racist stereotype by presenting a Black man as the face of food assistance fraud.
She became part of the Halloween controversy through a political social media post rather than a personal costume.
On X, she shared a mock Spirit Halloween costume package labeled "SNAP Fraudster," featuring a Black man standing in front of stacks of cash, holding a burning dollar bill, and raising his middle finger.
The caption read, "Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence."
The post was quickly interpreted as carrying a racist stereotype by presenting a Black man as the face of food assistance fraud.
Image credits: New York Post
It drew condemnation from politicians and activists alike, including Democratic Representative Shontel Brown, who called it "absolutely abhorrent and repulsive."
Social media users, meanwhile, asked, "Can we have someone in the cabinet who isn't a depraved racist piece of sh*t, w*f?"
"Shameful," another remarked.
-1point
#3 Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin dressed as the "thousand-yard stare" soldier meme this year, recreating American artist Tom Lea's famous 1944 World War II painting, That 2,000 Yard Stare, which depicts a shell-shocked U.S. Marine.
He wore a tilted green military helmet, an open-collar figure shirt, and olive-green camouflage face paint.
The actor shared the selfie with the caption, "War. War never changes. Happy Halloween, y'all," a nod to the Fallout video game franchise and his recurring role in the second season of Prime Video's Fallout series.
His costume, however, was widely misinterpreted at first.
He wore a tilted green military helmet, an open-collar figure shirt, and olive-green camouflage face paint.
The actor shared the selfie with the caption, "War. War never changes. Happy Halloween, y'all," a nod to the Fallout video game franchise and his recurring role in the second season of Prime Video's Fallout series.
His costume, however, was widely misinterpreted at first.
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
In the dim selfie lighting, the olive-green paint appeared darker, leading some viewers to accuse Culkin of wearing blackface.
"Does he know the implications of that makeup?" one person asked.
Even those who recognized the reference immediately had a bone to pick with Culkin, arguing that dressing up as a military man was tone-deaf given the current state of global conflicts.
"It's not blackface, but it's kinda inappropriate and clueless considering how many war conflicts are happening in the world today," one said.
"The worst possible choice he could have made this year," another added.
-5points
#4 Jes Jespipat Tilapornput
Thai actor Jes Jespipat Tilapornput faced backlash after posting a Michael Jackson Thriller-inspired Halloween costume.
His makeup substantially darkened his face and body to resemble the singer's complexion in the iconic music video.
Critics argued that Michael Jackson could have been honored through the outfit, hairstyle, and dance moves alone, but that altering his skin tone took the tribute too far.
His makeup substantially darkened his face and body to resemble the singer's complexion in the iconic music video.
Critics argued that Michael Jackson could have been honored through the outfit, hairstyle, and dance moves alone, but that altering his skin tone took the tribute too far.
Image credits: Lionsgate
"Doing blackface as a Halloween costume? Is this for real? Especially since you have international fans who follow you and are truly Black, and now they're seeing this c*ap," one person probed.
Another called it "not funny, not a costume, just RACISM," while others argued that "a million possible Halloween costume ideas" should have made the choice avoidable.
One particular commenter explained the objection directly, writing, "There's a reason why blackface is offensive. It was used to mock and dehumanize black people."
Jes eventually deleted the photo from his social media after the criticism spread.
-6points
#5 Tana Mongeau
The 28-year-old American YouTuber, podcaster, and vlogger dressed as Erika Kirk, the wife of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, recreating her appearance from an April YouTube video.
She wore a black satin button-up shirt, a black baseball cap with the word "Freedom" across it, and styled her blonde hair back while mimicking Erika’s expression and mannerisms.
The costume was not received as a harmless parody by many viewers.
"I do agree that everything Erika does has been pretty bizarre, but that does not excuse the disgusting behavior of all the haters mocking her, especially when it's not even memeable," one wrote.
Another emphasized the human loss behind the public persona, noting, "a woman was without her husband and children without their father while you did this."
The backlash highlighted a recurring problem with Halloween costumes centered on real-life tragedies.
What may be intended as political satire can come across as cruel when it makes someone's grief the punchline.
She wore a black satin button-up shirt, a black baseball cap with the word "Freedom" across it, and styled her blonde hair back while mimicking Erika’s expression and mannerisms.
The costume was not received as a harmless parody by many viewers.
"I do agree that everything Erika does has been pretty bizarre, but that does not excuse the disgusting behavior of all the haters mocking her, especially when it's not even memeable," one wrote.
Another emphasized the human loss behind the public persona, noting, "a woman was without her husband and children without their father while you did this."
The backlash highlighted a recurring problem with Halloween costumes centered on real-life tragedies.
What may be intended as political satire can come across as cruel when it makes someone's grief the punchline.
Report
-5points
#6 Mccall Dapron
DaPron, a reality personality known for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, faced criticism for a family costume that recreated the Kennedy family on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
She dressed as Jackie Kennedy in the former first lady's pink suit and pillbox hat, while her husband donned a three-piece suit.
Their children were also incorporated into the tableau as Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Secret Service agents.
One commenter questioned the decision to reference one of the most traumatic moments in modern American political history, writing, "Why would this ever feel okay and acceptable? I'm fascinated by people's logic."
Another remarked, "This is one of the most chaotic costumes I've seen thus far."
She dressed as Jackie Kennedy in the former first lady's pink suit and pillbox hat, while her husband donned a three-piece suit.
Their children were also incorporated into the tableau as Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Secret Service agents.
One commenter questioned the decision to reference one of the most traumatic moments in modern American political history, writing, "Why would this ever feel okay and acceptable? I'm fascinated by people's logic."
Another remarked, "This is one of the most chaotic costumes I've seen thus far."
Image credits: GHI/Universal History Archive/Getty Images
DaPron disabled comments on her social media post to escape the backlash, but screenshots of the post made their way to X, where the criticism only grew more intense.
"Obviously these people never paid attention in history class to realize what a tragedy this was. Or they just don't care. Clueless and classless."
The most pointed criticism came from a viewer who wrote, "[You're] dressing up as a woman on the scariest day of her life."
Report
-7points
#7 Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian dressed as her eldest daughter, North, recreating her alternative fashion aesthetic with blue hair, faux facial piercings, a black grill, and a predominantly baggy outfit.
The 13-year-old has been facing consistent criticism over her style, including accusations that her look was “demonic,” and that discourse took an even uglier turn after the reality TV star posted pictures and videos of her transformation.
"So Kim is admitting her daughter dressed like a Halloween costume every day," one commenter joked, while another took a sharper parenting angle, writing, "She should dress up as a parent who imposes limits."
The 13-year-old has been facing consistent criticism over her style, including accusations that her look was “demonic,” and that discourse took an even uglier turn after the reality TV star posted pictures and videos of her transformation.
"So Kim is admitting her daughter dressed like a Halloween costume every day," one commenter joked, while another took a sharper parenting angle, writing, "She should dress up as a parent who imposes limits."
Image credits: YSLONIKA
Some viewers, meanwhile, also questioned the cultural implications of the costume.
"One thing she is gonna do is copy a black woman," one person said, referring to North's Black identity through her father, Kanye West.
"She's appropriating Black culture," another declared.
Report
-7points
#8 Palm Beach Pete
Palm Beach Pete, whose real name is Peter Bart Simil, is a retired New York commercial real estate professional, former Division I tennis player, and current Florida resident.
He went viral in March 2026 after a stranger filmed him driving a convertible on Interstate 95 due to his uncanny resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein.
For Halloween, Pete posted a photo of himself outside a decoration store, carrying a plastic pumpkin candy bucket.
He wore a navy-blue quarter-zip sweater with a red monogram, pink shorts, and sneakers, an outfit that matched one in a widely circulated Epstein photograph.
The reaction was overwhelmingly furious, with one commenter asking, "So you think it's funny to lean into the idea that people think you're a child predator?"
Another compared his costume choice to "people dressed as Dahmer."
A third urged society to "stop idolizing s*itty humans," while a fourth remarked, "psychopath content only in America."
He went viral in March 2026 after a stranger filmed him driving a convertible on Interstate 95 due to his uncanny resemblance to Jeffrey Epstein.
For Halloween, Pete posted a photo of himself outside a decoration store, carrying a plastic pumpkin candy bucket.
He wore a navy-blue quarter-zip sweater with a red monogram, pink shorts, and sneakers, an outfit that matched one in a widely circulated Epstein photograph.
The reaction was overwhelmingly furious, with one commenter asking, "So you think it's funny to lean into the idea that people think you're a child predator?"
Another compared his costume choice to "people dressed as Dahmer."
A third urged society to "stop idolizing s*itty humans," while a fourth remarked, "psychopath content only in America."
Report
-7points
#9 Hazuki Tanda
Tanda, a Japanese voice actress, decided to dress as Shaun the Sheep for Halloween.
She used cotton balls to recreate the character's white fur and painted her face black to portray his skin tone.
While neither of these details was particularly controversial on its own, the addition of a banana in Tanda's hand made the costume contentious.
A detractor argued that the fruit evoked racist imagery associated with Black people being compared to apes in America.
She used cotton balls to recreate the character's white fur and painted her face black to portray his skin tone.
While neither of these details was particularly controversial on its own, the addition of a banana in Tanda's hand made the costume contentious.
A detractor argued that the fruit evoked racist imagery associated with Black people being compared to apes in America.
Image credits: ShauntheSheepOfficial
"Shaun the Sheep is known to love pizza, not bananas. She chose a banana on purpose because she's doing blackface," they noted.
Those defending Tanda suggested that she “may not” have been unaware of the racial connotations associated with the otherwise innocent-looking fruit.
A critic, however, pushed back against this defense, writing, “You all don't care about racism against black people because it doesn't affect you and how people view/treat you.”
Report
-7points
#10 Mark Zuckerberg
"This guy wanted to be a normal person so bad," a comment under Mark Zuckerberg's Halloween post read.
The reason?
The Facebook founder had opted against an elaborate spooky costume for the occasion, instead dressing himself and his family up for a "Burger night" theme.
The reason?
The Facebook founder had opted against an elaborate spooky costume for the occasion, instead dressing himself and his family up for a "Burger night" theme.
Image credits: zuck
He played a dad whose job was to grill patties in the backyard, while his wife, Priscilla Chan, dressed as a pickle and their children portrayed mustard sauce and watermelon.
People also criticized Zuckerberg for the simplicity of the idea, with one asking, "Was this an idea you had that morning?"
"Did AI give you the idea?" another wondered.
-7points
#11 Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton's controversy stemmed from a family Beauty and the Beast costume reveal.
She dressed as Belle in a yellow ball gown, while her husband, Carter Reum, portrayed the Beast. Their three-year-old son, Phoenix, wore a Lumière costume, and their two-year-old daughter, London, was dressed as Chip, the teacup.
Critics argued that Hilton had taken the leading princess role while placing her young daughter in a smaller, supporting character's position.
She dressed as Belle in a yellow ball gown, while her husband, Carter Reum, portrayed the Beast. Their three-year-old son, Phoenix, wore a Lumière costume, and their two-year-old daughter, London, was dressed as Chip, the teacup.
Critics argued that Hilton had taken the leading princess role while placing her young daughter in a smaller, supporting character's position.
Image credits: parishilton
"Stealing spotlights from kids is next-level narcissism," one person opined.
"This is so cringe. You can see the little girl feels a little down," another echoed.
Hilton defended herself by posting additional pictures from the photoshoot on social media, making it clear that London had chosen Chip because it was her favorite character.
She also made no indication that she intended to abandon the costume theme.
Report
-10points
