Ricky Gervais’ recent social media post targeting Justin Timberlake has taken the internet by storm, following the singer’s arrest for driving while intoxicated (DWI) on Tuesday morning. The former NSYNC member was apprehended in Sag Harbor, a posh area in the Hamptons, for allegedly driving under the influence. Timberlake reportedly declined to take a Breathalyzer test and was later seen leaving the Sag Harbor Village Police Department in New York, as reported by Page Six.
After the news of Timberlake’s arrest surfaced, British comedian Ricky Gervais took to X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, to mock the “SexyBack” singer. Tagging Timberlake in his post, the 62-year-old comedian wrote, “Did you get the bottle of Dutch Barn Vodka I sent you the other day?”
The post quickly went viral, amassing over 1.6 million views since it was shared on Tuesday. However, Gervais’ comment sparked mixed reactions among users on X. Some found the remark hilarious, with one user, Craig, commenting, “The best post on X today, hands down.” Another user, @LilRed1, responded with, “Oh no you [didn’t],” while @wokesocieties added, “Ricky dropping bombs,” accompanied by a cry-laughing emoji. Lea, another user, remarked, “Things like Gervais trolling Timberlake is what makes Twitter so great.”
On the other hand, some users felt the joke was in poor taste. @kylaschwaberow wrote, “Too soon,” a sentiment echoed by @ReverbGain, who agreed, “Way [too] soon.” Another user, @goodapplejokes, simply said, “Oh no…” while Scott Campbell added, “Ooff.”
Newsweek reached out to Justin Timberlake’s representatives for comment via email. According to TMZ, Timberlake was leaving a party at the American Hotel when he was pulled over by police for running a stop sign. Other reports suggest that the “Mirrors” singer was returning from a dinner with friends when he was stopped at 12:37 a.m. Sag Harbor Police Chief Robert Drake stated that Timberlake was struggling to stay in the correct lane while driving a 2025 BMW. Officers had been following him for approximately half a mile, TMZ reported.
Arrest documents described Timberlake’s eyes as “bloodshot and glassy,” and he reportedly smelled of alcohol. However, Timberlake told law enforcement that he had only consumed one martini. After being taken into custody, Timberlake’s mug shot quickly began circulating online.
“A traffic stop was initiated by a police officer from the Sag Harbor Police Department, and upon investigation, it was determined that Mr. Timberlake was operating his vehicle in an intoxicated condition,” the Sag Harbor Police Department revealed in a statement released on Tuesday. Timberlake was released without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 26. However, the Grammy winner is supposed to be performing in Krakow, Poland, on the same date as part of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
Ricky Gervais, known for his sharp wit and merciless celebrity roasts, especially during his Golden Globes hosting stints, didn’t miss the opportunity to poke fun at Timberlake. Gervais, who became the co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery, which produces Dutch Barn Vodka, in November 2023, tagged Timberlake’s X/Twitter account handle in a post hours after the arrest news broke, writing, “Did you get the bottle of Dutch Barn Vodka I sent you the other day?”
The post divided Gervais’ followers, with some praising it as “the best post” they had seen that day, while others criticized it as being “too soon” to joke about the incident. It remains unclear whether Timberlake’s arrest will impact his world tour, which is set to continue in Chicago on June 21. The “Señorita” singer has been charged with one count of DWI and two traffic violations for failing to stop at a stop sign and failing to stay in his lane. He is due back in court on July 26.
Timberlake’s reputation has taken several hits in recent years. In 2023, Britney Spears’ memoir, “The Woman in Me,” revealed details about their relationship and breakup, including allegations that Timberlake cheated on her multiple times and ended their relationship with a two-word text. However, Timberlake publicly supported Spears during her conservatorship court battle in June 2021, stating, “No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body. We hope the courts, and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live.”
In 2019, Timberlake publicly apologized to his wife, Jessica Biel, after he was photographed holding hands with his “Palmer” co-star Alisha Wainwright in New Orleans. Timberlake wrote on social media, “I stay away from gossip as much as I can, but for my family, I feel it is important to address recent rumors that are hurting the people I love. A few weeks ago, I displayed a strong lapse in judgment – but let me be clear – nothing happened between me and my co-star.”
He continued, “I drank way too much that night and I regret my behavior. I should have
