Doubts began circulating after some guests sitting close to the stage on the Western Steps of the US Capitol, noticed that the singer’s lips were not quite synchronised with the sound emerging from speakers, reports The Telegraph.

The “President’s Own” Marine Corps Band, which had played the backing music for the ceremony confirmed the rumours.

“We performed, live, the band. But we received last-minute word that Beyoncé was going to use the pre-recorded vocal track. Those were the instructions we were given. We don’t know what the reason why,” said Kristin DuBois, a spokeswoman for the band

She added that this was standard procedure: “All music is pre-recorded for the ceremony because there are so many eventualities and conditions that day.”

The ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin said she thought B “did a beautiful job”.

“But, when I heard the news this evening that she was pre-recorded I really laughed. I thought it was funny because the weather down there was about 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather,” she told ABC news.

“When I heard that I just really cracked up. I thought it was really funny, but she did a beautiful job with the pre-record … next time I’ll probably do the same,” concluded soul music legend Franklin. 

Obama’s critics leapt on the news. with the influential Drudge Report website, posting a picture on its front page with Barack Obama and Beyonce beneath the words: “Faked It!”

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