It is an interesting dilemma for sure and I understand your concerns but this action would cause me to have different concerns.
I mean, if this were to happen, be aware that it would set a precedent and as such know one really knows what the consequences of such a dramatic action would be. Letting the genie out of the bottle so to speak.
If someone is on the trending page then it means many have voted for that post. If then a 100 minnows downvoted that post then they are also making a statement to those who upvoted that post up. It could cause a reaction in that all those who upvoted that post would take revenge by making a note of all the minnows who downvoted.
Never underestimate the motivation of revenge.
This action would also effectively make the downvoters as bad as the down voter. Tit for tatt is a game that never ends.
Surely this should be worked out by programming.
One other thing, ask yourself this question, which minnow would be brave enough to make the first downvote. Often in such cases you may suddenly find that all the other minnows back down from fear and then the first one or two are left to be sacrificed,
Einstein said that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In my experience there is always a way to counter things in a positive way.
It is just a matter of finding what that is. But be sure, the right way is always harder but changes tings for the better. The easy way always leads to disaster.
I hear you @seablue and I know your intentions are honorable, but I honestly urge caution about such an action.