Does everything have to be binary? Either tearing his hair out, or enjoying blackjack with hookers and blow?

If that's the way you posit the choice, then yes, tearing his hair would have been more appropriate.

But no, as far as I am concerned, simply not enjoying himself publicly quite as much would have been enough.
He could have canceled his appearance at the damn game, you know. Or at least not participating in "waves." He can do that, you know. Being the President of the United States and all.