ATLANTA — The news of Congressman Elijah Cummings' death has taken a bizarre turn as several people who posted tributes to him on social media mistakenly used photos of Georgia Rep. John Lewis.
Marvel’s “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman was one of those people.
The Howard University alum wrote a heartfelt statement on Twitter, but two of the three photos he used were of Lewis.
“He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders with true dignity and courage. Making Howard proud, always. He will be greatly missed,” Boseman wrote.
The tweet quickly sparked outrage - and even made John Lewis' name a trending topic on Twitter - before it was deleted from the actor's account, an hour later.
Some media outlets, including the Associated Press, have also made the mistake.
Boseman posted a new, corrected tribute to Cummings a few hours later, with some thanking him.
Rep. John Lewis described Cummings as a "defining and commanding chairman," late Thursday morning. Lewis noted that Cummings dedicated his life to the good of the public.
"There was no greater friend to the poor, to the lost, to the left out and left behind than Rep. Cummings. His fearless advocacy and his ability to be a true representative on their behalf, helped them stand a little bit taller and a little bit straighter, even while forces work to erase their contribution," Lewis wrote in an extended statement.
Cummings has represented Maryland's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1996. Before that, he served 14 years in the Maryland House of Delegates. During his tenure, he made history as the first African American in Maryland to be named Speaker Pro Tem.
He earned several distinctions, including 13 honorary doctoral degrees from universities around the country.
He leaves behind his wife, Maryland Democratic Party Chair Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings.
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