Gayle King Defends Justin Timberlake After His DWI Arrest, Says Singer Is 'Not Reckless'

“He's not an irresponsible person, he's not reckless, he's not careless,” King said of Timberlake

Gayle King is speaking out about Justin Timberlake’s recent DWI arrest.

In Wednesday’s episode of CBS Mornings, King addressed the singer's drunk driving charge. In discussion with her co-anchors, the 69-year-old journalist defended Timberlake’s character.

“Justin Timberlake is a really, really great guy,” she began. “Listen, this is clearly a mistake — I bet nobody knows it more than he.”

Related: Jessica Biel Is 'Not Happy' About Justin Timberlake's Arrest But 'Will Always Be by His Side': Source

When Nate Burleson pointed out that this was a very “stupid mistake,” King agreed, adding that Timberlake “knows that.”

“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.”

She then referenced Billy Joel’s reaction to the incident, noting she appreciated the way he responded. “I loved when they stopped Billy Joel and he said, ‘Wait, not everybody judge at this particular time,’” she said.

Still, King maintained that even though “it’s alleged,” the reports about “what the officers saw, it’s not good.” She added with all the resources available, no one should ever drive while intoxicated.

“Driving drunk, there is never any excuse for that ever,” she said.

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In the early hours of June 18, the “Mirrors” singer, 43, was arrested while driving from the American Hotel to a friend’s house in Sag Harbor. He refused a breathalyzer and was cited for failure to maintain his lane and for running a stop sign, and arrested for a DWI.

He was arraigned and released later that day with an order to return July 26 to face his charges.

Police released a statement about the sequence of events, saying: "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."

Related: All About the 'Hamptons Institution' Where Justin Timberlake Was Spotted Before DWI Arrest

It 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."

On Wednesday, June 19, his attorney Edward Burke Jr. released a statement obtained by PEOPLE:  "Mr. Burke looks forward to vigorously defending Mr. Timberlake against these allegations,” it read. “He will have a lot to say at the appropriate time. He is currently awaiting full discovery from the DA’s office."

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