They will make a fortune. How many tons of copper and brass will they get off it, not to mention the high quality steel.
I knew some guys 40 years ago who scrapped some smaller boats. They did quite well.
Since I’ve been out of touch with that business for more than a generation, I don’t know what costs are up versus how much more commodities are worth, or in what sort of stripped condition the Navy would relinquish the carrier, but I suspect these guys will do very well.
I’m sad to say, that these days I’m suspicious of anyone who gets a good deal, and I’d be curious as to who said “take it away for a penny” was, what his history is, and who the guys who got it (high bidder at a penny?) were, and if they had any political affiliation with the administration or its supporters.