Beyoncé Lip-Synced at Inauguration, and Even Beyoncé Truthers Are in Denial

Twenty-four hours after she sang pretty much the best version of the national anthem since Whitney Houston, word is emerging that Beyoncé chose to switch to a pre-recorded version of "The Star Spangled Banner" for Monday's inauguration. Not that anyone wants to believe it — not even the "Beyoncé truthers" — but here's the new evidence that there is no Santa Claus completely perfect live version of the song:

• Beyoncé switched tracks. The Times of London and The New York Post are both touting midday "exclusives," citing new interviews with the spokesperson for the U.S. Marine Band, who confirms the last-minute switch-up on Inauguration Day:

• Beyoncé had a backing track. Sometimes Beyoncé likes to indulge us and pretend she's mortal, like Kelly Clarkson or Christina Aguilera. And like those mortals, she recorded a backing track (which is standard for people who aren't Beyoncé when singing in these huge occasions).

• Beyoncé may have practiced with the backing track. If this post to her tumblr is any indication:

• Beyoncé barely rehearsed with the band. Obviously, Beyoncé doesn't need to rehearse because Beyoncé is never off. And if Beyoncé's singing is ever sharp, your ears are just listening wrong. But anyways, as Buzzfeed's Amy O'Dell reported, Beyoncé didn't rehearse with the band until the night before the inauguration.

• Beyoncé may have been studying up. Sure, she wanted to get everything right, though this could just be more evidence of recording that back-up track with the band. 

But fine, Beyoncé did lip-sync and whatnot — what difference does it make? The "Beyoncé truthers" were taking a pretty sarcastic route when the news broke just before noon: