Trump would have made them request it anyway, just for the additional delay of having to have *another* hearing explaining the law, and another point for appeal.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/04/politics/trump-new-york-case-no-jury/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/04/politics/trump-new-york-case-no-jury/index.html