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Reviews of two LGBTQ+-styled nutcracker ornaments sold by Target have become deeply polarized after a Fox News report—but seemingly not because of the culture war over inclusive merchandise.

"Gay nutcracker, complete with a rainbow hat, a trans flag—full price, $12, but right now it's on sale for $8," Fox News host Jesse Watters told viewers with a smirk on Thursday night. "Target also sells Santa ornaments, but Target Santa is in a wheelchair and is Black." The retailer also sells white Santa ornaments, and a white version of the Santa in a wheelchair.

Target was one of several brands to face a backlash and calls for a boycott earlier in the year over its LGBTQ+ Pride range, being accused of going "woke." While experts have said such corporate advocacy provides an opportunity for brands to appeal to consumers in new markets, critics have accused companies of alienating their traditional customer base.

The nutcracker ornament Watters was referring to is painted with a rainbow motif and is holding the "progress" Pride flag, which merges the traditional LGBTQ+ flag with others representing transgender individuals and Black and brown people in the community. As of 4 a.m. ET, reviews of the product on Target's website were split between 53 percent giving five stars and 47 percent giving one star.

Another nutcracker ornament, designed by Kurt Adler and retailing for $47.50, is pictured holding the traditional LGBTQ+ Pride flag. Reviews of it are split exactly 50-50 between one and five stars.

Despite the polarized reviews and fresh accusations of going "woke" on social media, all the one-star ratings on the cheaper option related to the apparently poor quality of the product, rather than its LGBTQ+ connotations.

Among the five-star reviews, people said they bought one "because no one [is] stopping me from enjoying my Pride" and that it was "colorful, fun, and inclusive—as the holiday season should be."

On the more expensive alternative, though, a recent one-star review, entitled "still pushing the propaganda," asked: "Did they not learn from last time? Apparently not." Another, written a year ago, said: "Since when did nutcrackers have to be homosexual transvestites? Leave this garbage out of Christmas."

Recent five-star reviews expressed "love" for the product as it "shows inclusivity and love for all during the holiday season," and praised Target while saying: "It's a shame so-called Christians forget that Jesus loved everyone."

Newsweek approached Target via email for comment on Friday.

The retail giant was previously forced to remove parts of its LGBTQ+ Pride range, it said, after staff members faced threats which had impacted their "sense of safety and well-being while at work."

At the time, a spokesperson for Target told Newsweek it had withdrawn items that were "at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior." It then faced a secondary backlash from the LGBTQ+ community for being seen to kowtow to the boycotters.

Target was reported to have reviewed a line of swimsuits marketed for their ability to "tuck" genitalia for transgender women, as well as some children's merchandise. Items that provoked outrage on social media included a T-shirt with the slogan "trans people will always exist," and a babygrow with the words "bien proud" in the colors of the LGBTQ+ flag.

Several other brands faced condemnation from conservatives over marketing advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. While some appear to have pulled back from such moves, others have stood by their espoused values.

As well as Bud Light facing a hit to sales in the U.S. over its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Kohl's faced calls for a boycott over its LGBTQ+ clothing for children, Adidas came under fire for working with an LGBTQ+ model for the release of its Pride swimsuit, while PetSmart was the subject of controversy after it announced an LGBTQ+ Pride range for pets.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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