You raise a good point regarding if this had happened in the first debate. But at the same time, stupid questions always come up during the townhall-style debate, eg whats your favorite color, what will you do to help ME pay for my cable, etc. At least this question has some business calculations behind it, and if asked it is unlikely to have the effect that it would have had in the first debate.
Because this type of debate (at this level) is practically geared towards inane questions.
I’ll boycott a company that tries to disrupt my nation’s presidential debate for a cheap advertising stunt, you can keep praising gold without conscience, as much as you want.