Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has a new target to cut down costs: the US penny. DOGE said on X that the penny costs over 3 cents to make and cost US taxpayers over $179 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

DOGE builds on the United States Digital Service, now rebranded as the U.S. DOGE Service. According to Trump's executive order, the newly rebranded department will cut red tape and streamline government IT systems. Per the EO, DOGE has roughly 18 months (July 4, 2026) to achieve the administration's goal.

The former Republican primary foe departs DOGE after his goal of trimming regulations was overtaken by Musk’s priority of cutting expenditures.