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Gayle King is standing firmly in support of Justin Timberlake following his recent DWI arrest. On Wednesday’s episode of CBS Mornings, the 69-year-old journalist took a moment to address the incident, defending Timberlake’s character amidst the controversy.
“Justin Timberlake is a really, really great guy,” King began, emphasizing her belief in the singer’s integrity. “Listen, this is clearly a mistake — I bet nobody knows it more than he does.”
During the discussion, co-anchor Nate Burleson described the incident as a “stupid mistake,” to which King agreed, adding that Timberlake is fully aware of the gravity of his actions. “He’s not an irresponsible person, he’s not reckless, he’s not careless,” she said. “Clearly, this is not a good thing, but he knows that.”
King also referenced Billy Joel’s reaction to the incident, appreciating his call for people not to rush to judgment. “I loved when they stopped Billy Joel and he said, ‘Wait, not everybody judge at this particular time,’” she noted.
Despite her defense of Timberlake, King was clear that driving under the influence is inexcusable. “Driving drunk, there is never any excuse for that ever,” she stated, urging people to use available resources like cabs or ride-hailing services instead.
The incident in question occurred in the early hours of June 18. Timberlake, 43, was arrested while driving from the American Hotel to a friend’s house in Sag Harbor. He refused a breathalyzer test and was cited for failing to maintain his lane and running a stop sign, leading to his DWI arrest. He was arraigned and released later that day, with a court date set for July 26 to face the charges.
The Sag Harbor Police Department released a statement detailing the events: “On June 18, 2024, at 12:37 AM, Justin R. Timberlake, age 43, of Tennessee, was observed operating a 2025 BMW southbound on Madison Street, failing to stop at a duly posted stop sign and failing to maintain his lane of travel.” The statement continued, “A traffic stop was initiated by a Police Officer from the Sag Harbor Village Police Department and upon investigation, it was determined that Mr. Timberlake was operating his vehicle in an intoxicated condition.”
Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke Jr., released a statement on June 19, expressing their intention to vigorously defend against the allegations. “Mr. Burke looks forward to vigorously defending Mr. Timberlake against these allegations,” the statement read. “He will have a lot to say at the appropriate time. He is currently awaiting full discovery from the DA’s office.”
King’s defense of Timberlake highlights her belief that the incident does not reflect his true character. “Justin Timberlake is a really, really great guy,” she reiterated. “Listen, this was clearly a mistake. I bet nobody knows it more than he.”
Despite acknowledging the severity of the situation, King maintained that Timberlake is not a “reckless” or “careless” person. “While this is not a good thing, he knows that,” she said, echoing Billy Joel’s sentiment that people should not be quick to judge.
However, King was firm in her stance against drunk driving. “There is never any excuse for driving drunk,” she said, encouraging people to seek alternative transportation if they find themselves in a similar situation.
The arresting officer’s report described Timberlake’s eyes as “bloodshot and glassy” and noted a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The officer also claimed that Timberlake exhibited slowed speech, unsteady footing, and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. Despite Timberlake’s claim of having only one martini, eyewitnesses reported seeing him consume more drinks throughout the night.
Timberlake, who is currently on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, has yet to publicly address the incident. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 26, where he will face the charges against him.
As the story unfolds, Gayle King’s defense of Justin Timberlake serves as a reminder that even public figures are human and capable of making mistakes. While the legal process will determine the outcome, King’s support underscores her belief in Timberlake’s character and his ability to learn from this experience.
