POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Converse Ad Compared to Lynching and KKK Imagery, Company Apologizes
The Claim A viral claim circulated online in September 2026 alleging that the footwear company Converse had released an advertisement that some social media users compared to lynching and Ku Klux...
The Claim
A viral claim circulated online in September 2026 alleging that the footwear company Converse had released an advertisement that some social media users compared to lynching and Ku Klux Klan (KKK) imagery. The claim gained traction on platforms such as Threads, Reddit, X, Facebook, and Instagram, with users sharing screenshots of the ad and expressing outrage over its perceived racial insensitivity.
The controversial ad in question featured the bottom half of a person wearing white clothing, with shadows and lighting creating an optical illusion that some viewers interpreted as resembling a KKK hood and the feet of a hanging person. The image was part of a marketing campaign for the Chuck 70 X shoes, featuring K-pop singer Karina from the group Aespa. The claim suggested that the ad was deliberately designed to evoke racist symbolism, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
The Details & Investigation
Snopes confirmed that the ad in question did exist and was indeed part of Converse’s promotional campaign for the Chuck 70 X shoes, which was launched in collaboration with Karina. The ad was initially posted on Converse’s official Threads account on September 3, 2026, but it was later removed from the main page, though it remained accessible through the Wayback Machine archive. An earlier version of the Converse U.S. website from August 22, 2026, also showed the image, which was later replaced with a video of Karina modeling the shoes in a white skirt—presumably the same outfit shown in the original ad.
Converse responded to the controversy by issuing a statement via email, acknowledging the distress caused by the ad and apologizing for the misstep. The company stated that it had removed the image from its channels and was working to remove it from all platforms where it appeared. A spokesperson emphasized that the ad should not have been published and that the company would take steps to improve its processes moving forward.
Footwear News, a reputable fashion industry outlet under Women’s Wear Daily, reported on Converse’s apology, confirming that the company had taken action in response to the backlash. However, the ad’s initial placement on Converse’s official accounts raised questions about the company’s internal review process and cultural sensitivity. Some social media users speculated that the ad may have been created by a team in Malaysia, suggesting that the creative team may have lacked the historical and cultural context necessary to understand why the imagery could be perceived as offensive in the United States.
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While there were claims that the ad was part of a campaign based in Malaysia, no direct evidence was provided to confirm this. A search of the Converse Malaysia website for “Chuck 70 X” returned an error, and the image in question was not found on the official Converse Malaysia Instagram page. Additionally, some users shared another ad showing a person on a ladder holding Converse shoes, which was also interpreted as evoking lynching imagery. This image, however, was part of a separate campaign shot in Italy and was not directly linked to the Karina collaboration.
Despite the company’s apology, the incident highlights the risks of using visual content without thorough cultural and historical analysis. While the ad may have been unintentionally misleading, the rapid spread of the claim and the subsequent backlash suggest that the issue involved both misinterpretation and potential gaps in the company’s oversight. There is no evidence to suggest that the ad was intentionally designed to promote racist or harmful imagery, but the lack of clarity around the design process raises concerns about the company’s internal checks.
The Verdict
The viral claim that Converse released an advertisement evoking lynching and KKK imagery is largely accurate, as the ad in question did exist and was widely interpreted as such by many social media users. However, the company’s statement and subsequent actions indicate that the ad was not intentionally designed to promote racist symbolism. Instead, the controversy appears to stem from an unintentional misinterpretation of the visual elements in the ad, likely due to the use of shadows and lighting that created an optical illusion.
Given the lack of evidence suggesting deliberate intent to deceive or manipulate, the claim is best classified as MISLEADING. While the ad was not inherently racist, its visual composition led to significant public concern and backlash. Converse’s apology and removal of the ad demonstrate that the company recognized the issue and took corrective action, but the incident underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and thorough review in advertising campaigns.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
