Lemmy doesn't tip the scales, the front page is generally whatever is newest, or more upvoted/boosted/whatever. That's what users vote on. If you disagree vote against the posts you don't like, and if that doesn't help then the simple fact is that the majority of users disagree with you or want to see that content. At which point you can either complain about it, or curate your subscribed magazines/communities accordingly. Or leave.
Also why does it shock you that news about trump is big right now? He's a presidential candidate for the country with the biggest military in the world, and he's being indicted and charged on multiple federal crimes. Its just a big fucking deal regardless of your politics. And to be clear, fuck him, and republicans, but yeah. Of course people have an opinion on this, its world changing stuff. How can you be so naive lmfao.
As for fear of paid shills, you have that everywhere. I'd argue less so on something like lemmy considering its size. its always easier to just pay facebook to boost your anti vax post than build or buy a legit forum account for some random forum, then hand craft rage bait posts and use a bot army to upvote them. And on Facebook you'd reach billions of gullible mommy advice pages. Cost benefit wise I really don't think the fediverse is worth that cost yet.