I hate Trump (really I do), but I can't argue with this. Inflation happens; stamping out a piece of copper alloy has lots of fixed costs. We used to have a half cent coin. Things change.

The real question should be "why do they have to print so many pennies every year?" Paper bills last an average of 18 months before they need to be replaced, but coins don't typically wear out. Where are these pennies going?