Not true. In the event a court finds that a lawsuit was filed with the purpose of retaliating against a defendant for exercising First Amendment rights, the court "SHALL award to the moving party:
(1) court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and other expenses incurred in defending against the legal action as justice and equity may require[.]"
That part isn't optional.
Also: "(2) sanctions against the party who brought the legal action as the court determines sufficient to deter the party who brought the legal action from bringing similar actions described in this chapter."
However, this isn't a one way thing. If the court finds a TCPA motion was filed for absolutely bullshit reasons:
"(b) If the court finds that a motion to dismiss filed under this chapter is frivolous or solely intended to delay, the court may award court costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the responding party."
Hmm.