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Converse removed an advertisement for its Chuck 70 X and Run Star Crush sneakers after critics accused it of depicting Ku Klux Klan imagery. The ad featured K-pop singer Karina from the group aespa, prompting backlash on social media and a statement from Representative Troy Carter, who called the campaign "racist, reckless and deeply offensive." Converse issued an apology, acknowledging that they made a mistake and promised to remove the image wherever it appeared. This incident follows previous controversies faced by Nike, including accusations of political bias for partnerships with figures like Colin Kaepernick and recent criticism over a Boston Marathon ad.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-20,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Converse, an American footwear brand owned by Nike, pulled an advertisement from its Instagram account after social media users accused it of evoking Ku Klux Klan imagery. The ad featured K-pop singer Karina holding a pair of black high-top sneakers under a star-shaped spotlight while wearing a long white skirt, which critics said resembled a KKK hood and the dangling feet of a lynching victim. Converse issued an apology on August 27, stating, "This should not have happened and we will do better." The company removed the image from its channels and is working to remove it from other platforms where it appeared. CEO Aaron Cain promised to review internal processes and make necessary changes in a memo to employees seen by Bloomberg News.
Written for “Converse Ad Controversy” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 10 other(s) covering the same event.
Converse apologized and pulled a shoe ad last week that some claimed featured Ku Klux Klan imagery.
asserted
some → apologize → imagery
The ad, which has been removed from the Nike subsidiary's social media pages, featured K-pop singer Karina of the girl group aespa promoting the Chuck 70 X and Run Star Crush sneakers.
asserted
Karina → remove → sneakers
In the ad, Karina held a pair of black high-top shoes under a star-shaped spotlight while wearing a long white skirt.
asserted
Karina → hold → skirt
Several social media users asserted that Karina resembled a KKK member, with the shoes resembling a lynching victim.
asserted
shoes → assert → victim
Critics included Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., who released a statement on the ad on Friday.
asserted
who → include → Friday
"Nike and Converse, what the hell were you thinking?" Carter said.
asserted
Carter → think → hell
"Your campaign shows what looks like a hooded Klansman, framed by what appears to be the dangling feet of a lynching victim.
asserted
what → show → victim
After facing backlash, Converse eventually pulled the ad and released a statement apologizing for the campaign.
asserted
Converse → face → campaign
"We’re sorry.
asserted
We → ’re → ?
We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong.
asserted
this → understand → ?
We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared.
asserted
it → remove → it
This should not have happened, and we will do better," the statement sent to Fox News Digital read.
asserted
statement → happen → Digital
This latest ad backlash comes as Nike is set to be removed from the S&P 100 after nearly 18 years, following its value dropping by more than $200 billion since 2021.
asserted
value → come → 2021
Conservative critics have frequently accused Nike of embracing woke politics by partnering with progressive figures like Colin Kaepernick and Dylan Mulvaney.
asserted
critics → accuse → Kaepernick
However, Nike has faced backlash from the left as well.
asserted
Nike → face → left
In April, Nike went viral with a Boston Marathon ad reading "Runners welcome.
asserted
Nike → go → ad
Walkers tolerated" which critics claimed was "pace-shaming" participants.
asserted
critics → tolerate → ?
In a new comment to Fox News Digital, a Carter spokesperson said that the apology was not enough.
"
asserted
apology → say → Digital
Nike and Converse must explain how this campaign was conceived and approved, identify those responsible, and commission an independent investigation.
asserted
campaign → explain → investigation
They must also disclose the process and establish safeguards to ensure that imagery invoking the Klan and the lynching of Black people is never approved again," Carter's office said.
asserted
office → disclose → people
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