More accurately, it’s not the “elites”, it’s the “elitists”.
There are people whom you know, I’m sure, who are deferential to the “elites” or the “ruling class” (as long as they’re leftists) who don’t consider themselves to be part of that class. These are the sheeperals.
On the flip side, there are true elites who are not elitists, who, though they do have some special talents and resources, do not consider themselves capable or authorized to make decisions for others.
Read “intellectuals and society” by Thomas Sowell, and you’ll gain some of his great insight.
I haven't read Sowell's book, but in the same vein you have Paul Johnson's "Intellectuals" and "Creators" (two different books), which IMO tell the tale. I'll give Sowell's book a look (rhyme NOT deliberate!!), and recommend (highly!) the other two.