For context, it’s a very clear Nazi Salute — and Musk did it more than once. The NYT is implying doubt because they’re afraid of losing access if they speak the truth and because some people who are financially dependent on Musk are denying what it was in public.
All he can do is spend money. Can’t do anything himself. Just buys already established companies and has other people run it. The only thing he actually has tried running (Twitter) has greatly depreciated in value, both in terms of money and content.