Russian "Oligarchs"

Am I the only one questioning why it is that any Russian person with any degree of wealth is continually referred to as an "oligarch"? American mainstream media wasn't doing this constantly prior to Trump's election, so why the change? Also, am I the only one more than tired of this practice?

Russia isn't a new country. Putin isn't new on the scene of Russia politics. Wealthy Russians aren't new. So, again, why does our media spontaneously decide to refer to, apparently, every single wealthy Russian as an "oligarch"?

I submit that the reason is our media knows full well probably over half of American citizens don't know what the word means and won't bother looking it up. I believe that their goal is solely to make Russia look archaic and thus suspicious.

Here's what I mean. According to Merriam-Webster, an oligarch is defined simply as "a member or supporter of an oligarchy." An oligarchy is defined as:

1) government by the few
2) a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes
3) an organization under oligarchic control

Now, if that is the definition of an oligarchy, could it not be argued America is also an oligarchy? We willfully place an incredibly small handful of people to represent us, yes? There are under 500 people in Congress and the White House ruling over 350+ million people? Is that not a government by a few? Is that not a government in which a small group exercises control? Oh, sure, we elect them, but that doesn't change the fact that a small number rule a larger number. There is nothing in the definition of an oligarchy stating the rulers gained or maintained power through coercion. It may well be implied, but it's not explicit. And, let's be honest, it is essentially common knowledge money controls our government and, with that, that control is leveraged for "corrupt and selfish purposes." Sure, sure we don't generally feel it as oppression (mostly), but it's still rule by a few is it not?

And yet... there is our beloved media continually referring to only wealthy Russians as oligarchs. This isn't mere coincidence, guys.