Popular Aussie retailer pulls Donald Trump costume item from shelves as customers slam 'filth'
Melbourne-based activist and model Jeff Kissubi shared a screenshot on TikTok of the retailer's online marketplace showing the cap on Wednesday.
The item is described as a ' Donald Trump Party Costume Hat' in red and white.
While it has since been removed from the Big W website, a Google listing was online for hours and showed the item could cost customers $24.95.
Mr Kissubi slammed the decision to sell it as a costume, saying the hat was too similar to the real movement associated with Trump.
'As if Trump's policies haven't harmed real people in real life and to be profiting off oppression of others is wild,' he said.
'What is it about Trump and his politics (which) has resulted in inhumane treatment of other people within America (that) is something to wear as a costume?
'Why is that the first thing that comes to your head... that Trump is a caricature as a costume that people can wear on Halloween?'
The hat was available on Big W's online marketplace via a third party
Mr Kissubi said the hat 'completely minimises how his politics has resulted in families being broken, lives being destroyed, and the rise of racism, xenophobia and discrimination within America'.
Big W did not offer the item, instead hosting it on a platform which allows independent sellers to market their products, but it has since taken the listing down.
'The item was listed for sale by a third party seller on Big W Market, it was not sold in Big W stores,' a spokesperson told News.com.au.
'It has now been removed from sale.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Big W's owner, Woolworths Group, for comment.
Social media users agreed with Mr Kissubi in criticising the item as insensitive with multiple comments saying 'shame on you' to the retailer.
'Went straight to Big W and left a review on it, disgusting and disgraceful that any store in Australia would sell that filth,' one man said.
A user said: 'This scares me more than any Halloween costume ever could.'
Despite Big W removing the item from its marketplace a Google link existed for hours after the fact which had originally linked to the item
A third commented: 'This is SO embarrassing.'
But others gave the retailer the benefit of the doubt, referencing the cap's appearance on the third party marketplace
'Not sure how much moderation there is with the Big W "marketplace", seeing as brands can sell their products through Big W, like Amazon,' one person said.
Another said: 'I dressed as Trump at a dress up last week. Who cares.
'People have dressed as politicians forever. Go worry about a real issue baby.'
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