Martha Stewart calls homeless Halloween costume 'insensitive' after backlash

Martha Stewart issued a second apology on Sunday after a Halloween costume depicting a homeless person sparked widespread criticism on social media. The 85-year-old entrepreneur acknowledged that her initial defense of the outfit had failed to address the core issue. She described the costume as "insensitive and not funny" in a statement posted to her Instagram feed.

Stewart, who was named one of Forbes' 250 greatest self-made Americans in August, said it is difficult to admit when one has made a mistake. "My earlier statement didn't go far enough," she wrote, signing the message simply as "Martha." She acknowledged that many people are suffering economically and expressed that she was very sorry for the choice of attire.

The original controversy began when Stewart shared a photo of herself in a tattered sweater and jeans with smeared makeup. In the image, she held a sign reading, "I am hungry. Help me." After the post drew negative reactions, Stewart deleted the photo and issued an initial statement to the New York Post's Page Six. She claimed the costume was intended to bring awareness to the serious subject of homelessness rather than to mock it.

That first response cited her long-standing support for charities combating homelessness. However, the follow-up statement on Instagram acknowledged that her earlier words did not satisfy her followers. Comments on the post ranged from disappointment to frustration. One user noted that there were more people angry at the costume than people motivated to help homeless individuals. Another commented that the incident highlighted the disconnect between wealthy people and the general population.

ABC News has reached out to a representative for Stewart for further comment on the situation. The backdrop for the debate includes rising housing instability across the country. According to the 2025 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in May, more than 745,000 people were homeless in the United States on a single night in January 2025.

The report indicates that homelessness in the U.S. increased by 27% between 2013 and 2025. Unsheltered homelessness, defined as those living on the street, rose by 36% during that same period. These figures provide context for the economic struggles Stewart referenced in her apology, underscoring the scale of the issue she attempted to address through her costume.