A hard-edged claim is gaining ground on the populist right: that America's richest and most powerful want fewer people around, which is bad news for public trust in tech billionaires and Washington alike.

• Jared Kushner said after leaving the first Trump White House that he is part of the first generation that will live forever.
• Facebook co-founder Sean Parker said his wealth means he will live to 145.
• The argument: if the very rich plan to live that long, they know not everyone can, or the planet cannot handle it.
• The claim goes further, saying reducing population through shorter lives or fewer births is now effectively US policy.
• Digital surveillance and control systems are cast as tools to manage a large population the elite no longer feel they need.

Outlook: Expect anti-elite anger over life-extension tech and surveillance to keep growing as a political theme, with Silicon Valley figures as the main target.