There's an extremely important distinction that I think people are missing.
There are questions of
fact and there are questions of
law, and Disney could theoretically lose on either one.
Questions of fact are decided by juries in jury trials and by the judge in "bench trials." Questions of law are decided by the judge. Questions of law are what get appealed and decided by the appellate courts and SCOTUS. Appellate courts generally do not weigh in on the facts.
With regard to the First Amendment claims:
- The question of fact is whether DeSantis and the Florida legislature did pass this legislation to retaliate against Disney for their speech.
- The question of law is whether passing this law in retaliation against Disney for their speech is unconstitutional.
If Disney loses on the facts, this case will be entirely inconsequential for any other future cases. If they lose on the law (which they won't), then it would indeed be consequential.
Losing on the facts has nothing to do with "precedent."