We are all using the term elites to describe influential types of the Left. I don’t think we should concede that or we fall into their trap.
Elitist is much better. Elitist sounds like a wannabe that thinks he or she is better than the proverbial “reasonable man” (sorry Nahncee, you’re obviously in) who is supposed to be the foundation of democracy (or preferrably a republic).
They use our language against us and it’s all a conditioning exercise.