> they're using "elite" to signal a mentality

Given the nonsensical things I've seen declared "elite" and "nonelite", I'm certain that "elite" is just used as a synonym for "whoever I currently hate".

There's that too, plus the fact that using the word "elite" is itself something that mostly the elite do.

In my experience that's false.

And you don't think that the guy with the golden toilet who owns several estates and the guy who bought a social media platform because he was mad they weren't allowing the golden toilet guy on the platform are textbook elites, even by your definition?

They really do have people brainwashed to think they're on their side...