That is why I would choose the other option in the first place.

In the second place, this applies on the front page of the interface which decides to implement it. A different interface will have a different visibility, a different set of mods, if they choose the same route, etc.

There can be an interface or more which will decide to show the trending as it is now. Based on the votes, even though the trending itself is highly irrelevant.

Also the moderation I was talking about as the second solution, would happen on the front page, which is not the same as the trending page. Front page for visitor <> trending page for user.