Tesla is currently engaged in litigation over allegedly firing employees without providing necessary 60 day notice period under California law, denying them pay as a result, so it would appear that Musk has precedent.
No, you're thinking of a restricted version of the second definition from Merriam-Webster, while it was clearly the first definition that was meant.
precedent. noun
1. an earlier occurrence of something similar
2. a : something done or said that may serve as an example or rule to authorize or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous kind a verdict that had no precedent b : the convention established by such a precedent or by long practice
The "has" makes it seem like it was a legal statement. It probably should be been worded differently
"...so that's a precedent that shows that Musk is willing/has done something like this"