“The show must go on”—a line that neatly captures a certain myth of winning through force of will. For a century, the West has exported that self-image alongside its markets and its currency: adversity as performance, persistence as virtue.

From Singin’ in the Rain to Moulin Rouge! to Black Swan, and from Ethel Merman to Freddie Mercury to Lupe Fiasco, the refrain repeats: carry on, whatever the cost.

Today, that script appears to be breaking. As Trump pushes toward a broader war in the Middle East and on the world stage, allies everywhere decline to follow—materially or symbolically. This is an unprecedented twist in the story for anyone under 100 years old.

Italian street artist Elfo, finger on the pulse as usual, answers with a simple reversal: ‘The Show Must Stop.’ Says the artist, “I’ve been looking for a phrase that captures this absurd present.”

World news links:

European countries reject Trump’s call for help to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Germany “ruled out participation in any military activity,”

France will never take part in operations to unblock Hormuz Strait amid hostilities, says Macron
Macron rejected Trump’s claims of support and stated France “will not participate”.

US allies rebuff Trump’s request for support in Strait of Hormuz
Multiple allies said they had “no immediate plans” to send ships, with Germany’s defense minister adding: “This is not our war.”

Biggest Nato allies reject Trump’s Hormuz armada demand
Britain, France, and Germany all refused to join a U.S.-led naval mission

Trump demands others help secure Strait of Hormuz, Japan, Australia say no plans
Key U.S. partners in Asia indicated they had no plans to send ships

Middle East crisis live: Italy, Luxemburg, wider Europe countries resist Trump’s request to help clear the strait of Hormuz
Italy declined to expand missions; Luxembourg rejected U.S. pressure as “blackmail”

Japan not planning Hormuz escort mission, PM Takaichi says
Japan’s prime minister said there are no plans to send ships

Reactions to Trump’s call for help to secure Strait of Hormuz
Australia stated plainly: it will not send naval ships to the Strait.

Trump warns NATO, presses China to help reopen Strait of Hormuz, FT reports
China was directly pressed to contribute but has not committed forces