Converse Apologizes After Roiling Social Media With Ads That Evoke a Lynching

What it is about

Who published it, and when

How it spread - 10 original reports, 6 reprints

1. Fri, 18 September 2026

   1 report
   • adweek.com22:57
     Converse Apologizes After Roiling Social Media With Ads That Evoke a Lynching

     Converse stirred up some social media users with a pair of ads they said recalled Klan imagery.

2. Sat, 19 September 2026

   1 report
   • BBC News World14:05
     Converse pulls 'deeply upsetting' advert after backlash

     Social media users say an image from the brand's Instagram account resembled a KKK hood and hanging.

3. Sun, 20 September 2026

   4 reports
   • brisbanetimes.com.au01:01first to report
     Converse removes ad that drew comparisons to KKK imagery

     Activists on social media websites barraged the company with complaints about the image, which was intended to promote the Chuck 70 X shoe.

   • el-balad.com02:34
     Converse Shoes apology follows KKK and lynching comparisons

     Converse shoes faced backlash after a campaign image drew KKK and lynching comparisons; the brand apologized and said it removed the image.

   • boredpanda.com17:37
     “Oh Trust Me They Knew”: Converse Apologizes And Pulls Sneaker Ad After Viewers Notice Disturbing Detail

     Converse pulled a Karina sneaker advertisement and apologized after viewers compared its imagery to lynching, sparking a wider debate about race and advertising. Lifestyle, Shopping

   • PBS NewsHour20:03
     Converse apologizes and pulls sneaker ad that critics said included racist imagery

     Critics lashed out online, saying that a white triangular image created by lighting on K-pop singer Karina's skirt resembled a KKK hood and that the way she held the sneakers made them look like the dangling feet of a lynching victim.

     6 reprints

     • local10.com20 Sept, 19:39their copy
     • ABC News (Australia)20 Sept, 23:21their copy
     • Channel News Asia20 Sept, 23:43their copy
     • The Guardian World21 Sept, 12:03their copy
     • wlos.com21 Sept, 15:16their copy
     • ktul.com21 Sept, 15:16their copy
4. Mon, 21 September 2026

   1 report
   • mediapost.com23:15
     Converse Pulls Sneaker Ad After KKK Controversy

     Converse has declined to answer questions seeking additional information, including which agency created the ad, or who signed off on the imagery.

5. Tue, 22 September 2026

   3 reports
   • Index.hr (Croatia)05:13
     Converse povukao reklamu nakon optužbi da podsjeća na Ku Klux Klan

     CONVERSE je povukao oglasnu kampanju nakon optužbi da vizuali podsjećaju na Ku Klux Klan. Tvrtka u vlasništvu Nikea ispričala se i uklonila sporni sadržaj sa svojih kanala.

   • Index.hr (Croatia)08:43
     "Kako je ovo uopće prošlo?": Converse povukao reklamu nakon žestokih reakcija

     CONVERSE se ispričao i povukao spornu reklamu s K-pop zvijezdom Karinom nakon optužbi za korištenje motiva Ku Klux Klana.

   • iheart.com11:00
     Converse Apologizes After Ad Draws Racist Imagery Backlash

     Converse has apologized and removed a sneaker advertisement after critics said the imagery evoked the Ku Klux Klan and America’s history of lynching.